Pomphorhynchus laevis
| Pomphorhynchus laevis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Acanthocephala |
| Class: | Palaeacanthocephala |
| Order: | Echinorhynchida |
| Family: | Pomphorhynchidae |
| Genus: | Pomphorhynchus |
| Species: | P. laevis |
| Binomial name | |
| Pomphorhynchus laevis Müller, 1776 | |
Pomphorhynchus laevis is a parasitic acanthocephalan worm that can influence the reaction of its intermediate host, the freshwater amphipod Gammarus pulex, to the smell of potential predators like perch, Perca fluviatilis.[1][2]
Life cycle
Pomphorhynchus laevis facilitates its movement from its initial host. Research has demonstrated that organisms affected by the parasite exhibit a diminished or inverted avoidance response to the scent of predators when compared to uninfested specimens, supporting the notion that the parasite manipulates its host, with the goal of passing itself on to its definitive host, a freshwater fish. Affected specimens also demonstrate vibrant changes in color, making them more visible to predators.[3][4]
Biomimetics
This worm swells its proboscis to press microneedles into the intestinal wall, with a very strong adhesive force. This has inspired a structural skin graft adhesive that sticks strongly but has minimal tissue damage while in place and upon removal.[5]
References
- ↑ Kullmann, Harald; Timo Thünken; Sebastian A Baldauf; Theo C M Bakker; Joachim G Frommen (2008). "Fish odour triggers conspecific attraction behaviour in an aquatic invertebrate". Biol Lett. (An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany: University of Bonn, Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology) 4 (5): 458–60. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2008.0246. PMC 2610077. PMID 18593668.
- ↑ Choi, Charles Q. (February 8, 2007). "Parasitic Worms Alter Hosts' Sense of Smell to Better Its Lot in Life". Fox News. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
- ↑ Baldauf, Sebastian A.; Timo Thünken; Joachim G Frommen; Theo C M Bakker; Oliver Heupel; Harald Kullmann (2007). "Infection with an acanthocephalan manipulates an amphipod's reaction to a fish predator's odours". International Journal for Parasitology (An der Immenburg 1, D-53121 Bonn, Germany: University of Bonn, Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology) 37 (1): 61–5. doi:10.1016/j.ijpara.2006.09.003. PMID 17049528.
- ↑ Bakker, Theo C.M.; Dominique Mazzi; Sarah Zala (June 1997). "Parasite Induced Changes in Behavior and Color Make Gammarus pulex More Prone to Fish Predation". Ecology (University of Bern, CH-3032 Hinterkappelen, Switzerland: Ecological Society of America) 78 (5): 1098–1104. doi:10.1890/0012-9658(1997)078[1098:PICIBA]2.0.CO;2.
- ↑ Seung Yun Yang et al. (April 2013). "A bio-inspired swellable microneedle adhesive for mechanical interlocking with tissue". Nature Communications (Massachusetts (mixed): Macmillan) 4 (1702). doi:10.1038/ncomms2715.