title: Influence of tapeworm infection on the production of aggregation pheromone and defensive compounds in Tribolium castaneum.
abstract: Recent studies suggest that parasites affect host development, reproduction, and behavior through alterations of host hormones and pheromones, or other hormone-triggered biochemical events. We previously reported that Hymenolepis diminuta infection affects surface-seeking and cannibalism behaviors, and reduces male sperm precedence of Tribolium castaneum beetles. This study examined the quantitative effects of H. diminuta on the production of aggregation pheromone and 3 defensive compounds in male T. castaneum beetles, using 2 wild-caught, geographically distinct T. castaneum strains. For the c-Madison strain, infected beetles exhibited a 2- to 22-fold increase in defensive compounds; conversely, no changes were observed in strain c-Africa. Parasite infection did not significantly influence aggregation pheromone secretion in either strain. Because defensive compounds function as repellents or deterrents to other insects, parasite-induced increases in the secretion of defensive compounds may be a physiologic clue for the behavioral changes in infected T. castaneum beetles. Significant among-strain variation in defensive compound production seen in infected beetles suggests that caution is needed before generalizing about changes in volatile production and in host behavior induced by a parasite.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006926:Hymenolepis / Q000502:physiology*; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D010675:Pheromones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D014231:Tribolium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D007301:Insect Hormones; D010675:Pheromones