Arthropods Flashcards
(223 cards)
Mutualism
Two organisms of different species exist in a relationship where each individuals benefit from the activity of the other.
Parasitism
Non-mutual symbiotic relationship between species, where one species, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the hose.
Commensalism
One organism benefits from the other without affecting it.
Definitive Host (DH)
Host in which the parasite reach maturity and reproduces sexually.
Intermediate Host (IH)
A host that harbours the parasite only for a short period, during which usually some developmental stage is completed.
Paratenic Host (PH)
Mechanical host. It is not developing in that host at all. Hitching along for a ride.
Direct Life Cycle
A life cycle in which a parasite is transmitted directly from one host to the next without an intermediate host or vector of another species.
Reservoir host
Can harbour a pathogen indefinitely with no ill effects
Key elements of life cycles
Infection, location, transmission
Most common way of getting into the blood stream
biting vector
Pathogenesis
Mostly relates to where the parasite is (intensity of the infection) i.e. blood stream causing anemia, GI tract causing GI issues
Key elements of transmission
How big is the parasite? How is the parasite getting out of the host?
Issue with water soluble treatments
do not penetrate tissues well. Need lipid soluble treatment
When is a tapeworm harmful?
Hydatid cyst is harmful in the intermediate host
Echinococcosis
Parasitic disease of tapeworms of the Echinococcus type
What are parasitic helminths?
Worms
What are protists (Protozoa)?
Motile unicellular eukaryotic ogranisms. e.g. Giardiasis, Toxoplasmosis, Cryptosporidiosis
What are Nematodes?
Roundworms
What are Trematodes?
Flukes
What are Cestodes?
Tapeworms
What are arthropods?
Invertebrate animal with an exoskeleton (external skeleton), a segmented body and jointed appendages. Crustaceans, insects and arachnids i.e. tick, tsetse fly
Crustacea
Greater than 5 pairs of legs. Often numerous body segments. Many aquatic. Crabs, yabbies, copepods, isopods, and pentastomids. Primarily parasites of marine fish, but some are relevant to vet science.
Pentastomida
*Relevant from a veterinary stand point (nasal cavity in dogs- Linguatula serrata) *Internal parasites of reptiles, birds and mammals *“tongue worms” but nothing to do with the tongue *Previously thought to be allied to mites. *DNA sequencing data indicates that they are modified crustaceans *Internal parasites of respiratory system *Elongate, no appendages *Indirect lifecycle *2 hooks on either side of mouth eggs contain embryo when late respiration cutaneous
Linguatula serrata
“tongue worm” of dog and fox, female up to 8-13 cm, male to 2 cm, tongue shaped, anterior end wider, cuticle with annular striations, eggs contain larvae when laid, eggs passed in nasal discharge or faeces, larvae live in mesenteric lymph nodes of herbivores and occassionally the lung or liver- sheep, cattle, pigs, dog, cat, and man reported infected, when eaten grow to maturity in 6 months, worm doesn’t appear to cause any ill effects but may cause sneezing and a nasal discharge, treatment: surgery, ivermectins

























