Vindas et al. Brain-infecting parasites leave lasting effects on behaviour even in resistant hosts

Parasites can have profound effects on intra- and inter-specific interactions at the population and community levels through their influence on host behaviour, physiology, and fitness. While host phenotypic changes are typically thought of in terms of established infections, parasite encounters may be sufficient to induce behavioural changes, even when no viable infections are established. Here, we use the Japanese rice fish medaka Oryzias latipes and the brain-infecting microsporidan parasite Pseudoloma neurophilia to understand how parasite resistance influences behaviour. Although a previous study suggested that medaka are a suitable host for P. neurophilia, an eight-week parasite exposure regime resulted in no detectable infection in our study. Both parasite-exposed and control (no parasite exposure) medaka were tested in behavioural assays that assessed boldness, activity, and sociality. We detected considerable changes in medaka behaviour following parasite exposure, with parasite..., Collected by conducting controlled parasite exposures and subjecting fish to 2 behavioral paradigms. The behavioral data was analysed by Ethovision XT 13,寄生虫可通过调控宿主行为、生理状态与适合度，对种群及群落层面的种内与种间互作产生深远影响。尽管学界通常将宿主的表型变化与已建立的感染状态挂钩，但即便尚未形成存活的感染，仅接触寄生虫便足以引发宿主行为改变。本研究以日本青鳉（Oryzias latipes，俗称medaka）与脑感染性微孢子虫Pseudoloma neurophilia为研究对象，旨在探究寄生虫抗性如何影响宿主行为。尽管既往研究表明青鳉是P. neurophilia的适宜宿主，但本研究中为期8周的寄生虫暴露方案并未检测到任何感染。本研究对寄生虫暴露组与对照组（未进行寄生虫暴露）的青鳉开展行为学测试，评估指标包括大胆性、活动能力与社交性。本研究发现，寄生虫暴露后青鳉的行为发生了显著变化，与寄生虫相关……本数据集通过开展受控寄生虫暴露实验，并让受试鱼类完成两种行为范式测试采集所得。行为学数据通过Ethovision XT 13软件完成分析。