Data from: Parasites and a host's sense of smell: reduced chemosensory performance of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) infected with a monogenean parasite

Abstract1. Parasites residing within the central nervous system of their hosts have the potential to reduce various components of host performance, but such effects are rarely evaluated. 2. We assessed the olfactory acuity of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) infected experimentally with the monogenean Dactylogyrus olfactorius, the adults of which live within the host's olfactory chambers. 3. Olfactory acuity was compared between infected and uninfected hosts by assessing electro-olfactography (EOG) neural responses to chemical stimuli that indicate the presence of food (L-alanine) or the presence of conspecifics (taurocholic acid). We also compared differences in gross morphology of the olfactory epithelium in infected and uninfected minnows. 4. Differences in EOG responses between infected and uninfected minnows to both cue types were non-significant at 30 d post-exposure. By days 60 and 90, coincident with a two times increase in parasite intensity in the olfactory chambers, the EOG responses of infected minnows were 70-90% lower than controls. When infected fish were treated with a parasiticide (Prazipro), olfactory acuity returned to control levels by day 7 post-treatment. 5. The observed reduction in olfactory acuity is best explained by the reduced density of cilia covering the olfactory chambers of infected fish, or by the concomitant increase in the density of mucous cells that cover the olfactory chambers. These morphological changes are likely due to the direct effects of attachment and feeding by individual worms or by indirect effects associated with host responses. Our results show that infection of a commonly occurring monogenean in fathead minnows reduces olfactory acuity. Parasite-induced interference with olfactory performance may reduce a fish's ability to detect, or respond to, chemical cues originating from food, predators, competitors, or mates.
Usage notesRaw data - Parasites and a host’s sense of smellThis file includes raw data from a study in which olfactory chamber of fathead minnows was experimentally infected withDactylogyrus olfactorius. The data includes parasite intensity, olfactory acuity of the host (post-exposure and after treatment with anti-parasite), and density of rodlet and mucous cells on the olfactory chamber of infected animals.Raw data.xlsx

摘要
1. 寄生于宿主中枢神经系统的寄生虫可削弱宿主多项性能表现，但此类效应的相关评估却鲜有开展。
2. 本研究针对实验感染单殖吸虫（monogenean）Dactylogyrus olfactorius的黑头呆鱼（Pimephales promelas）的嗅觉灵敏度展开评估，该寄生虫的成虫寄生于宿主嗅腔内。
3. 本研究通过检测宿主对食物信号（L-丙氨酸，L-alanine）以及同类信号（牛磺胆酸，taurocholic acid）的电嗅觉图（electro-olfactography, EOG）神经反应，对比感染与未感染宿主的嗅觉灵敏度差异；同时还对比了感染与未感染黑头呆鱼的嗅上皮大体形态差异。
4. 暴露后30天，感染组与对照组黑头呆鱼对两类化学信号的EOG反应差异均无统计学意义。至暴露后60天和90天，此时嗅腔内的寄生虫感染强度较初始提升2倍，感染组黑头呆鱼的EOG反应较对照组降低70%~90%。当感染个体使用驱虫剂Prazipro进行治疗后，其嗅觉灵敏度在治疗后第7天恢复至对照组水平。
5. 本研究观察到的嗅觉灵敏度下降，最合理的解释是感染宿主嗅腔表面纤毛密度降低，或是伴随出现的嗅腔表面粘液细胞密度升高。上述形态变化可能源于单殖吸虫的附着与取食带来的直接影响，或是宿主免疫应答相关的间接效应。本研究结果表明，黑头呆鱼感染常见单殖吸虫后会出现嗅觉灵敏度受损的情况。寄生虫对嗅觉功能的干扰，可能会削弱鱼类检测并响应来自食物、天敌、竞争者或配偶的化学信号的能力。

使用说明
原始数据——寄生虫与宿主的嗅觉
本文件包含一项研究的原始数据，该研究对黑头呆鱼的嗅腔进行实验感染，使其感染Dactylogyrus olfactorius。数据内容包括寄生虫感染强度、宿主嗅觉灵敏度（暴露后及抗寄生虫治疗后），以及感染个体嗅腔内杆状细胞与粘液细胞的密度。
原始数据.xlsx