Population structure of anisakis simplex (nematoda) in harbor porpoises phocoena phocoena off Denmark

The population structure and habitat selection of Anisakis simplex in 35 harbor porpoises off Denmark are described. The nematodes were collected from the stomach and duodenal ampulla and were categorized as third-stage larvae, fourth-stage larvae, subadults, and adults. The porpoises harbored 8,043 specimens of A. simplex. The proportion of adults and subadults increased with infrapopulation size. The number of development stages across infrapopulations covaried significantly (Kendall's test of concordance). Concordance was higher in hosts with the highest intensities than in those with low and medium intensities. All stages occurred mainly in the forestomach, but this trend was stronger for the adults. Adult and subadult sex ratios did not depart significantly from 1:1. Our data suggested that recruitment and duration of each stage were the main factors accounting for infrapopulation structure. The preference of A. simplex for the forestomach conformed with previous studies, but the narrower distribution of adults relative to other stages might indicate a strategy to enhance mating opportunities. Information on sex ratios of A. simplex is scarce and contradictory. We suggest that the discrepancies might partly reflect differences in categorization criteria and statistical methods.Herreras Belled, Maria Victoria, [email protected] ; Balbuena Diaz-Pines, Juan Antonio, [email protected] ; Aznar Avendaño, Francisco Javier, [email protected] ; Raga Esteve, Juan Antonio, [email protected]

The evolutionary ecology of complex lifecycle parasites: linking phenomena with mechanisms

Many parasitic infections, including those of humans, are caused by complex lifecycle parasites (CLPs): parasites that sequentially infect different hosts over the course of their lifecycle. CLPs come from a wide range of taxonomic groups-from single-celled bacteria to multicellular flatworms-yet share many common features in their life histories. Theory tells us when CLPs should be favoured by selection, but more empirical studies are required in order to quantify the costs and benefits of having a complex lifecycle, especially in parasites that facultatively vary their lifecycle complexity. In this article, we identify ecological conditions that favour CLPs over their simple lifecycle counterparts and highlight how a complex lifecycle can alter transmission rate and trade-offs between growth and reproduction. We show that CLPs participate in dynamic host-parasite coevolution, as more mobile hosts can fuel CLP adaptation to less mobile hosts. Then, we argue that a more general understanding of the evolutionary ecology of CLPs is essential for the development of effective frameworks to manage the many diseases they cause. More research is needed identifying the genetics of infection mechanisms used by CLPs, particularly into the role of gene duplication and neofunctionalisation in lifecycle evolution. We propose that testing for signatures of selection in infection genes will reveal much about how and when complex lifecycles evolved, and will help quantify complex patterns of coevolution between CLPs and their various hosts. Finally, we emphasise four key areas where new research approaches will provide fertile opportunities to advance this field

Liquid–liquid extraction of neodymium ions from aqueous solutions of NdCl3 by phosphonium-based ionic liquids

A protocol for the recovery of rare earth elements based on the dissolution of an aqueous solution of a rare earth metal chloride in an ionic liquid (IL) followed by stripping of the dissolved metal ions into an aqueous phase is proposed. The use of ILs is a departure from the traditional strategies employed for extraction. Liquid–liquid extraction of neodymium (Nd) ions from an aqueous solution of NdCl3 with and without hydrochloric acid (HCl) was carried out using phosphonium-based ILs, namely trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium benzoate [T66614][BA] and trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [T66614][TFSA]. The extraction was also conducted using a mixture of the aforementioned ILs and toluene. The efficiency of the extraction decreased with increasing concentrations of Nd in the aqueous solution. Furthermore, increasing the concentration of HCl in the aqueous phase decreased the percentage of extracted Nd ions. It indicates that the extraction followed a neutral or ion-pair extraction type of mechanism. Stripping of Nd ions from the metal-loaded organic phase using different acids revealed that HCl and HNO3 were the most effective stripping agents for complete re-extraction of the metal ions. Trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium-based IL with a benzoate counter anion was more effective for Nd extraction than the congener with the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and TechnologyThis study was supported by the High Efficiency Rare Elements Extraction Technology Area in the Tohoku Innovative Materials Technology Initiatives for Reconstruction from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology in Japan