Identification of Contracaecum multipapillatum at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge within the components of its lifecycle in the initial phases of infection
Faculty Mentor
Krisztian Magori
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
10-5-2023 11:10 AM
End Date
10-5-2023 11:30 AM
Location
PUB 317
Department
Biology
Abstract
The initial success of non-native species is due to the lack of predators and pathogens targeting them. However, according to the biotic resistance hypothesis, over time native predators and pathogens will eventually make use of them. The brook stickleback is newly introduced to eastern Washington with high population densities. The diet of these fish overlaps by approximately 50% with waterfowl at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR), ultimately impacting the effectiveness of the refuge for its intended purpose. These fish are parasitized by Contracaecum multipapillatum, a resident nematode in the Anisakidae family that has a complex life cycle targeting various species, including copepods, fish, piscivorous birds, and mammals. C. multipapillatum has serious health implications, especially on that of the brook stickleback. This study aims to identify the early timeline of C. multipapillatum infection on brook stickleback and the surrounding ecosystem at TNWR, by analyzing fish, copepods, and sediment. This study will focus on 3 lakes: Middle Pine, Black Horse, and Kepple. Each lake will have 5 representative collection sites appropriately distributed. Fish necroscopy will be performed to identify presence or absence of the nematode and the number of nematodes per individual host will be recorded. PCR of both copepods and sediment will be utilized to identify the presence of C. multipapillatum DNA. These methods will help to identify the early components of C. multipapillatum infection during its lifecycle by identifying when and where it is first apparent in the system. This investigation provides insight into interspecific relationships and naturally occurring biotic resistance within TNWR, potentially reducing competition of this invasive fish with waterfowl.
Recommended Citation
Flores, Sarah; Wulfestieg, Ben; Odiorne, Madilyn; Huizar, Daniel; and Greene, Eric, "Identification of Contracaecum multipapillatum at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge within the components of its lifecycle in the initial phases of infection" (2023). 2023 Symposium. 5.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2023/res_2023/os1_2023/5
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Identification of Contracaecum multipapillatum at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge within the components of its lifecycle in the initial phases of infection
PUB 317
The initial success of non-native species is due to the lack of predators and pathogens targeting them. However, according to the biotic resistance hypothesis, over time native predators and pathogens will eventually make use of them. The brook stickleback is newly introduced to eastern Washington with high population densities. The diet of these fish overlaps by approximately 50% with waterfowl at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR), ultimately impacting the effectiveness of the refuge for its intended purpose. These fish are parasitized by Contracaecum multipapillatum, a resident nematode in the Anisakidae family that has a complex life cycle targeting various species, including copepods, fish, piscivorous birds, and mammals. C. multipapillatum has serious health implications, especially on that of the brook stickleback. This study aims to identify the early timeline of C. multipapillatum infection on brook stickleback and the surrounding ecosystem at TNWR, by analyzing fish, copepods, and sediment. This study will focus on 3 lakes: Middle Pine, Black Horse, and Kepple. Each lake will have 5 representative collection sites appropriately distributed. Fish necroscopy will be performed to identify presence or absence of the nematode and the number of nematodes per individual host will be recorded. PCR of both copepods and sediment will be utilized to identify the presence of C. multipapillatum DNA. These methods will help to identify the early components of C. multipapillatum infection during its lifecycle by identifying when and where it is first apparent in the system. This investigation provides insight into interspecific relationships and naturally occurring biotic resistance within TNWR, potentially reducing competition of this invasive fish with waterfowl.
