Effects of an alternative host on the prevalence and intensity of infection of a bumble bee parasite.

ABSTRACT: Several bee parasites are transmitted through flowers, and some of them can infect multiple host species. Given the shared use of flowers by bee species, parasites can potentially encounter multiple host species, which could affect the evolution of parasite virulence. We used the trypanosomatid parasite Crithidia bombi and its host, the common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), to explore the effect of infecting an alternative host, the alfalfa leaf-cutter bee (Megachile rotundata), on parasite infectivity and ability to replicate. We conducted a serial passage experiment on primary and alternative hosts, assessing infectivity and intensity of infection during five passes. Parasite cells from each pass through the alternative host were also used to infect a group of primary hosts. We f

SUBMITTER: Pinilla-Gallego MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10090601 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature