The glochidium larvae of freshwater mussels of the family Unionidae need to find suitable hosts to attach themselves and metamorphose into free-living juveniles. The specificity of the host-parasite relationship was investigated for the Iberian Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885 by means of experimental infections and also by analyzing naturally infected fish. The process of encapsulation of glochidia was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Unio tumidiformis has proven to be an unusual host-specific unionid mussel, apparently parasitizing only fish of the genus Squalius Bonaparte, 1837. Successful encapsulation or complete metamorphosis was observed in five fish taxa: S. aradensis (Coelho, Bogutskaya, Rodrigues et Collares-Pereira), S. caroliterti (Doadrio), S. pyrenaicus (Günther), S. torgalensis (Coelho, Bogutskaya, Rodrigues et Collares-Pereira) and S. alburnoides (Steindachner) complex (only for the nuclear hybrids with at least one copy of the S. pyrenaicus genome). Complete metamorphose was achieved in 6 to 14 days at mean temperatures ranging from 21.8 to 26.1 degrees C. The current study provides support for cell migration being the main force of cyst formation and shows the influence of potential host's genome in response to the infection process to determine the success of the metamorphosis.

• MeSH
• biologická proměna fyziologie   MeSH
• epitel fyziologie   MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita fyziologie   MeSH
• larva růst a vývoj   fyziologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• mlži růst a vývoj   fyziologie   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• ryby parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Portugalsko MeSH

• MeSH
• látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
• methylortuťné sloučeniny toxicita   MeSH
• mitotický index MeSH
• mořská biologie MeSH
• mořská voda MeSH
• testy genotoxicity metody   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH

Freshwater mussels of the Order Unionida provide important ecosystem functions and services, yet many of their populations are in decline. We comprehensively review the status of the 16 currently recognized species in Europe, collating for the first time their life-history traits, distribution, conservation status, habitat preferences, and main threats in order to suggest future management actions. In northern, central, and eastern Europe, a relatively homogeneous species composition is found in most basins. In southern Europe, despite the lower species richness, spatially restricted species make these basins a high conservation priority. Information on freshwater mussels in Europe is unevenly distributed with considerable differences in data quality and quantity among countries and species. To make conservation more effective in the future, we suggest greater international cooperation using standardized protocols and methods to monitor and manage European freshwater mussel diversity. Such an approach will not only help conserve this vulnerable group but also, through the protection of these important organisms, will offer wider benefits to freshwater ecosystems.

• MeSH
• ekosystém * MeSH
• mlži fyziologie   MeSH
• rozšíření zvířat MeSH
• sladká voda MeSH
• zachování přírodních zdrojů * trendy   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

• MeSH
• filtrace MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• sladká voda MeSH

Coevolutionary relationships between parasites and hosts can elevate the rate of evolutionary changes owing to reciprocal adaptations between coevolving partners. Such relationships can result in the evolution of host specificity. Recent methodological advances have permitted the recognition of cryptic lineages, with important consequences for our understanding of biological diversity. We used the European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus), a freshwater fish that parasitizes unionid mussels, to investigate host specialization across regions of recent and ancient sympatry between coevolving partners. We combined genetic data (12 microsatellite and 2 mitochondrial markers) from five populations with experimental data for possible mechanisms of host species recognition (imprinting and conditioning). We found no strong evidence for the existence of cryptic lineages in R. amarus, though a small proportion of variation among individuals in an area of recent bitterling-mussel association was statistically significant in explaining host specificity. No other measures supported the existence of host-specific lineages. Behavioural data revealed a weak effect of conditioning that biased behavioural preferences towards specific host species. Host imprinting had no effect on oviposition behaviour. Overall, we established that populations of R. amarus show limited potential for specialization, manifested as weak effects of host conditioning and genetic within-population structure. Rhodeus amarus is the only species of mussel-parasitizing fish in Europe, which contrasts with the species-rich communities of bitterling in eastern Asia where several host-specific bitterling occur. We discuss costs and constraints on the evolution of host-specific lineages in our study system and more generally.

• MeSH
• biologická evoluce MeSH
• Cyprinidae genetika   parazitologie   MeSH
• databáze genetické MeSH
• genetická variace MeSH
• genetické markery MeSH
• haplotypy MeSH
• hostitelská specificita MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• kladení vajíček genetika   MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice MeSH
• mlži genetika   patogenita   MeSH
• paraziti MeSH
• sladká voda MeSH
• symbióza MeSH
• sympatrie MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Dálný východ MeSH
• Evropa MeSH

For over 30 years empirical studies have repeatedly demonstrated that the biosynthesis of morphine by diverse animal and human tissues occurs. Recently, the blue mussel's neural tissues and human white blood cells were used to demonstrate the de novo biosynthesis of morphine for small precursor molecules derived from the aromatic amino acid L-tyrosine. Because catecholamine precursors, i.e., L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), were also found to be utilized as morphine precursors, a novel reciprocally interactive mechanism is apparent that links catecholamine and opioid pathways in the activation and inhibition of diverse tissue responses. Additionally, these observations provide new insights into morphinergic signalling that transcend analgesia and addiction. We have also linked the biological effects of nitric oxide into a common effect in endogenous morphine signalling. Given the singular importance of dopamine and morphine's interaction in the CNS, the presence and association of this signalling with nitric oxide all promises to provide novel answers for mental health phenomena, which have been lacking because of the inability in accepting the empirical endogenous morphine studies.

• MeSH
• dopamin farmakologie   MeSH
• katecholaminy metabolismus   MeSH
• leukocyty metabolismus   MeSH
• levodopa metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• morfin biosyntéza   farmakologie   MeSH
• Mytilus edulis metabolismus   MeSH
• opioidní peptidy metabolismus   MeSH
• oxid dusnatý farmakologie   MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• tyrosin metabolismus   MeSH
• závislost na morfiu psychologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• přehledy MeSH

Knowledge of habitat suitability for freshwater mussels is an important step in the conservation of this endangered species group. We describe a protocol for performing in situ juvenile exposure tests within oligotrophic river catchments over one-month and three-month periods. Two methods (in both modifications) are presented to evaluate the juvenile growth and survival rate. The methods and modifications differ in value for the locality bioindication and each has its benefits as well as limitations. The sandy cage method works with a large set of individuals, but only some of the individuals are measured and the results are evaluated in bulk. In the mesh cage method, the individuals are kept and measured separately, but a low individual number is evaluated. The open water exposure modification is relatively easy to apply; it shows the juvenile growth potential of sites and can also be effective for water toxicity testing. The within-bed exposure modification needs a high workload but is closer to the conditions of a natural juvenile environment and it is better for reporting the real suitability of localities. On the other hand, more replications are needed in this modification due to its high-hyporheic environment variability.

• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza   toxicita   MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• mlži účinky léků   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• řeky chemie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• audiovizuální média MeSH
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The impact of multiple invading species can be magnified owing to mutual facilitation--termed 'invasional meltdown'--but invasive species can also be adversely affected by their interactions with other invaders. Using a unique reciprocal host-parasite relationship between a bitterling fish (Rhodeus amarus) and unionid mussels, we show that an invasive mussel reverses the roles in the relationship. Bitterling lay their eggs into mussel gills, and mussel larvae parasitize fish. Bitterling recently colonized Europe and parasitize all sympatric European mussels, but are unable to use a recently invasive mussel, Anodonta woodiana. The parasitic larvae of A. woodiana successfully develop on R. amarus, whereas larvae of European mussels are rejected by bitterling. This demonstrates that invading species may temporarily benefit from a coevolutionary lag by exploiting evolutionarily naive hosts, but the resulting relaxed selection may facilitate its exploitation by subsequent invading species, leading to unexpected consequences for established interspecific relationships.

• MeSH
• Anodonta růst a vývoj   parazitologie   MeSH
• biologická evoluce MeSH
• Cyprinidae růst a vývoj   parazitologie   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• kladení vajíček MeSH
• neparametrická statistika MeSH
• sympatrie MeSH
• vznik druhů (genetika) MeSH
• žábry parazitologie   MeSH
• zavlečené druhy MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Parasites alter their host behaviour and vice versa as a result of mutual adaptations in the evolutionary arms race. One of these adaptations involves changes in host thermoregulation, which has the potential to harm the parasite and thereby act as a defence mechanism. We used a model of the brown trout (Salmo trutta) experimentally parasitised with glochidia ectoparasitic larvae from the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) to reveal whether parasitisation alters fish behavioural thermoregulation. A study using radiotelemetry temperature sensors was performed during almost one year of the M. margaritifera parasitic stage. Glochidia-infested S. trutta altered their thermoregulation through active searching for habitats with different thermal regimes. The general preference for temperatures in infested fish varied and was either above or below the temperature preferred by uninfested individuals. Infested fish also preferred different temperatures across localities, whereas uninfested fish maintained their thermal preference no matter which stream they inhabited. Glochidia further induced the expression of a behavioural syndrome among S. trutta personality traits, suggesting that it might increase the probability that the fish host would occur in the glochidia temperature optimum. Our findings present the first evidence that thermoregulation plays a fundamental role in the relationship of affiliated mussels and their fish hosts. Incorporating thermoregulation as a factor in the study of this relationship can help to interpret results from previous behavioural studies, as well as to optimise management measures related to endangered mussels.

• MeSH
• aklimatizace MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• larva růst a vývoj   fyziologie   MeSH
• mlži růst a vývoj   fyziologie   MeSH
• nemoci ryb parazitologie   MeSH
• pstruh * MeSH
• termoregulace * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

• MeSH
• antioxidancia terapeutické užití   MeSH
• chondroitin aplikace a dávkování   škodlivé účinky   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• dietoterapie * klasifikace   metody   využití   MeSH
• glukosamin aplikace a dávkování   škodlivé účinky   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• kolagen aplikace a dávkování   škodlivé účinky   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• kyselina hyaluronová aplikace a dávkování   škodlivé účinky   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• léčivé rostliny MeSH
• Mytilus edulis MeSH
• nemoci kloubů * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• nemoci koček MeSH
• nemoci psů MeSH
• oleje rostlin terapeutické užití   MeSH
• omega-3 mastné kyseliny aplikace a dávkování   škodlivé účinky   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Persea MeSH
• potravní doplňky * klasifikace   využití   MeSH
• statistika jako téma MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH