Spatial and energy compromise between host and parasite: the Biomphalaria glabrata-Schistosoma mansoni system.
The development of a sporocyst infrapopulation of Schistosoma mansoni within the Biomphalaria glabrata snail is, from a spatial point of view, detrimental to the host's digestive-genital gland complex growth. For mono- and plurimiracidial infections, the digestive gland volumes are, respectively 51 and 24% of those of control snails. Identical reduction of the infected genital gland volume (43% of controls) occurs in both cases. After the prepatent period, the ratio of parasite/digestive gland volumes (P/PDG) remains fairly constant at around 0.60 independent of the miracidial dose infection, indicative of a balanced host-parasite development which is discussed in relation to the spatial and energy constraints of this system.
Théron
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A
Laboratoire de Biologie Animale, URA CNRS 698, Perpignan, France.
Moné
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H
Gérard
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C
D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000254:growth & development*