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Evolutionary biology of Siphonostomatoida (Copepoda) parasitic on vertebrates

University of British Columbia

A phylogeny for the 18 families of Siphonostomatoida (Copepoda) parasitic on vertebrates is presented which considers these taxa a monophyletic group evolved from siphonostome associates of invertebrates. Discussion of the evolutionary biology of these families is presented using this phylogeny as a foundation for comparison. Siphonostomes typically attach at specific locations on their hosts. Although copepod morphology can sometimes be used to explain realized niches, most copepod distributions remain mysteriously confined. Distribution data suggest that the branchial chambers were the first regions of the vertebrate body to be colonized, and that the olfactory capsules of vertebrates may have been derived from some premandibular branchial component which caused an evolutionary split in the copepod fauna infecting the branchial chambers of noseless and jawless vertebrates. The general body surfaces of vertebrates were probably colonized by taxa infecting the gills and olfactory capsules, and perhaps was facilitated by a new type larva possessing a frontal filament. Adults of these larvae appear to have developed two modes of extending this progress in attachment security throughout adulthood. One mode involved new methods of permanent attachment of mature females, while the second mode allowed both powerful swimming and efficient suctoral attachment. Reduction in the number of molts required to reach adulthood is exhibited by some lineages, and seems to have been realized through amalgamation of free living nauplius and/or parasitic copepodid stages. The first copepodid serves as the initial infective stage throughout all lineages. While most siphonostome taxa are monoxenous, at least some pennellids are heteroxenous. Evolution of two host life cycles perhaps was facilitated by a highly mobile young adult capable of infecting another host, and by the close ecological association of the intermediate and definitive hosts. Although not widespread, mesoparasitism has apparently evolved several times among siphonostome taxa infecting vertebrates. Phylogenetic data illustrate that once a lineage becomes mesoparasitic, reversal to ectoparasitism is uncommon. Two siphonostome lineages have successfully invaded fresh water. This significant ecological shift appears to have been facilitated by a number of morphological, developmental, and ecological traits. Preliminary studies suggest that siphonostomes have sometimes coevolved with their vertebrate hosts while at other times they have colonized phylogenetically distant but ecologically similar hosts. Overall, the speciation rate of these copepods seems to have lagged behind that of potential host taxa.

Thesis/Dissertation

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2009-04-07

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/6880

Zoology

University of British Columbia

UBCV

DSpace