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Rafael Araujo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Who wins in the weaning process? Juvenile feeding morphology of two freshwater mussel species.
    Journal of Morphology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Rafael Araujo, Miquel Campos, Carles Feo, Catuxa Varela, Joaquín Soler, Paz Ondina
    Abstract:

    The global decline of freshwater mussels can be partially attributed to their complex life cycle. Their survival from Glochidium to adulthood is like a long obstacle race, with juvenile mortality as a key critical point. Mass mortality shortly after entering into a juvenile state has been reported in both wild and captive populations, thus weakening the effective bivalve population. A similar phenomenon occurs during metamorphosis in natural and hatchery populations of juvenile marine bivalves. Based on a morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy of newly formed juveniles of the freshwater species Margaritifera margaritifera (L.) (Margaritiferidae) and Unio mancus Lamarck (Unionidae), we show that a second metamorphosis, consisting of drastic morphological changes, occurs that leads to suspension feeding in place of deposit feeding by the ciliated foot. We hypothesize that suspension feeding in these two species improves due to a gradual development of several morphological features including the contact between cilia of the inner gill posterior filaments, the inner gill reflection, the appearance of the ctenidial ventral groove and the formation of the pedal palps. Regardless of the presence of available food, a suspension feeding mode replaces deposit feeding, and juveniles unable to successfully transition morphologically or adapt to the feeding changes likely perish.

  • Host specificity and metamorphosis of the Glochidium of the freshwater mussel Unio tumidiformis (Bivalvia: Unionidae)
    Folia Parasitologica, 2014
    Co-Authors: Joaquim Reis, Maria João Collares-pereira, Rafael Araujo
    Abstract:

    The Glochidium larvae of freshwater mussels of the family Unionidae need to find suitable hosts to attach themselves and metamorphose into free-living juveniles. The specificity of the host-parasite relationship was investigated for the Iberian Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885 by means of experimental infections and also by analyzing naturally infected fish. The process of encapsulation of glochidia was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Unio tumidiformis has proven to be an unusual host-specific unionid mussel, apparently parasitizing only fish of the genus Squalius Bonaparte, 1837. Successful encapsulation or complete metamorphosis was observed in five fish taxa: S. aradensis (Coelho, Bogutskaya, Rodrigues et Collares-Pereira), S. caroliterti (Doadrio), S. pyrenaicus (Gunther), S. torgalensis (Coelho, Bogutskaya, Rodrigues et Collares-Pereira) and S. alburnoides (Steindachner) complex (only for the nuclear hybrids with at least one copy of the S. pyrenaicus genome). Complete metamorphose was achieved in 6 to 14 days at mean temperatures ranging from 21.8 to 26.1 degrees C. The current study provides support for cell migration being the main force of cyst formation and shows the influence of potential host's genome in response to the infection process to determine the success of the metamorphosis.

  • THE UNIONIDS OF TUNISIA: TAXONOMY AND PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS, WITH REDESCRIPTION OF UNIO RAVOISIERI DESHAYES, 1847 AND U. DURIEUI DESHAYES, 1847
    Journal of Molluscan Studies, 2011
    Co-Authors: Noureddine Khalloufi, Annie Machordom, Carlos Toledo, Moncef Boumaïza, Rafael Araujo
    Abstract:

    Using an approach based on molecular, reproductive and morphological characters, four independent evolutionary lineages represented by the following species were identified in Tunisia: Unio ravoisieri Deshayes, U. gibbus Spengler, U. durieui Deshayes and Potomida littoralis (Cuvier). The species U. ravoisieri and U. durieui are redescribed, including details of their distribution, biology and Glochidium morphology. The puzzling distribution of the former (Algeria, Tunisia and two localities in Northeast Spain) could reflect introduction or natural dispersal. In Tunisia, the release of the glochidia of U. ravoisieri starts in March, but in Spain this is delayed until August or September. The entire interlamellar space of the outer demibranchs acts as a marsupium (ectobranchy). Glochidia are rounded-triangular, globose, and either hooked or hookless. Unio durieui is distributed across Algeria and Tunisia, where it releases glochidia in December and in March. Glochidia are always hooked, but the elaboration of the hook is variable. The molecular phylogenetic analysis supports two clusters within Unio, each including both European and North African species. Strong bootstrap support was obtained for the two clades within U. ravoisieri, of which one includes specimens from the Iberian Peninsula as well as Tunisia. Unio durieui appeared as the sister species of U. gibbus. The Tunisian populations of P. littoralis were not segregated from those in Europe, and U. fellmanni should be considered a synonym.

  • Redescription of Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885 (Bivalvia, Unionidae), an endemism from the south-western Iberian Peninsula
    Journal of Natural History, 2009
    Co-Authors: Joaquim Reis, Rafael Araujo
    Abstract:

    The possible occurrence of Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 on the Iberian Peninsula has been a controversial issue since the nineteenth century. Several characters, including molecular, morphological and life cycle, show that the Iberian taxon is related to, but well differentiated from, the central European U. crassus. The valid name for this Iberian taxon is Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885. Live populations are distributed throughout the Guadiana, Mira and Sado river basins. Unio tumidiformis can be distinguished from other Unio species by its regular oval shape, high relative height and width, strong wavy umbonal rugae, supra-cardinal tooth on the right valve, and lower Glochidium height. From the potential fish hosts tested, only Squalius alburnoides (Steindachner, 1866) resulted in juvenile drop-off, suggesting some degree of specialization in the parasite–host relationship. The endemic nature, population status and habitat of U. tumidiformis make this species important from a conservation point of view.

  • The identity and biology of unio mancus laMarck, 1819 (=U. Elongatulus) (bivalvia: unionidae) in the Iberian Peninsula
    Journal of Molluscan Studies, 2005
    Co-Authors: Rafael Araujo, Ignacio Gómez, Annie Machordom
    Abstract:

    Genetic variability, shell morphology, anatomy, reproductive season, Glochidium morphology and host fish of several Iberian populations of Unio mancus Lamarck, 1819 ( ¼ U. elongatulus C. Pfeiffer, 1825) were examined. The genetics of three allopatric populations were studied, including two ‘races’ previously described for this species on the Iberian Peninsula. All shared the same haplotype of the COI mitochondrial gene. It is proposed that all known Iberian Mediterranean populations of the genus Unio correspond to Unio mancus. All mature specimens studied were dioecious. Glochidial release occurred between March and August. The barbel Barbus graellsii was the natural host of the U. mancus glochidia in the studied area. In artificial infestations performed in aquaria, seven fish species, all native, carried the glochidia throughout their complete metamorphosis. This process occurred in 141 degree/days. Newly released juveniles were spherical and had a thin marginal rim of new shell.

Araujo Rafael - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Who wins in the weaning process? Juvenile feeding morphology of two freshwater mussel species
    2018
    Co-Authors: Araujo Rafael, Campos Miquel, Feo Carles, Varela Catuxa, Soler Joaquín, Ondina Paz
    Abstract:

    Comunicación dada en: euromal - 8th European Congress of Malacological Studies (10-14 September 2017, Kraków, Poland).The global decline of freshwater mussels can be partially attributed to their complex life cycle. Their survival from Glochidium to adulthood is like a long obstacle race, with juvenile mortality as a key critical point. Mass mortality shortly after entering into a juvenile state has been reported in both wild and captive populations, thus weakening the effec - tive bivalve population. A similar phenomenon oc - curs during metamorphosis in natural and hatchery populations of juvenile marine bivalves. Based on a morphological analysis of newly formed juveniles of the freshwater species Margaritifera margaritifera (Margaritiferidae) and Unio mancus (Unionidae), we show that a second metamorphosis, consisting of drastic morphological changes, occurs that leads to suspension feeding in place of deposit feeding by the ciliated foot. We hypothesise that suspension feed - ing in these two species develops and improves grad - ually due to several morphological features including the contact between cilia of the inner gill posterior filaments,¬ the¬ inner¬ gill¬ reflection,¬ the¬ appearance¬ of¬ the ctenidial ventral groove and the formation of the pedal palps. Regardless of the presence of available food, a suspension feeding mode replaces deposit feeding, and juveniles unable to successfully transi - tion morphologically or adapt to the feeding changes perish.Peer Reviewe

  • Who wins in the weaning process? Juvenile feeding morphology of two freshwater mussel species
    John Wiley & Sons, 2018
    Co-Authors: Araujo Rafael, Campos Miquel, Feo Carles, Varela Catuxa, Soler Joaquín, Ondina Paz
    Abstract:

    The global decline of freshwater mussels can be partially attributed to their complex life cycle. Their survival from Glochidium to adulthood is like a long obstacle race, with juvenile mortality as a key critical point. Mass mortality shortly after entering into a juvenile state has been reported in both wild and captive populations, thus weakening the effective bivalve population. A similar phenomenon occurs during metamorphosis in natural and hatchery populations of juvenile marine bivalves. Based on a morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy of newly formed juveniles of the freshwater species Margaritifera margaritifera (L.) (Margaritiferidae) and Unio mancus Lamarck (Unionidae), we show that a second metamorphosis, consisting of drastic morphological changes, occurs that leads to suspension feeding in place of deposit feeding by the ciliated foot. We hypothesize that suspension feeding in these two species improves due to a gradual development of several morphological features including the contact between cilia of the inner gill posterior filaments, the inner gill reflection, the appearance of the ctenidial ventral groove and the formation of the pedal palps. Regardless of the presence of available food, a suspension feeding mode replaces deposit feeding, and juveniles unable to successfully transition morphologically or adapt to the feeding changes likely perish.Peer reviewe

  • Host specificity and metamorphosis of the Glochidium of the freshwater mussel unio tumidiformis (Bivalvia: Unionidae)
    'Biology Centre AS CR', 2015
    Co-Authors: Reis Joaquim, Collares-pereira, Maria Joao, Araujo Rafael
    Abstract:

    The Glochidium larvae of freshwater mussels of the family Unionidae need to find suitable hosts to attach themselves and metamorphose into free-living juveniles. The specificity of the host-parasite relationship was investigated for the Iberian Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885 by means of experimental infections and also by analyzing naturally infected fish. The process of encapsulation of glochidia was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Unio tumidiformis has proven to be an unusual host-specific unionid mussel, apparently parasitizing only fish of the genus Squalius Bonaparte, 1837. Successful encapsulation or complete metamorphosis was observed in five fish taxa: S. aradensis (Coelho, Bogutskaya, Rodrigues et Collares-Pereira), S. caroliterti (Doadrio), S. pyrenaicus (Günther), S. torgalensis (Coelho, Bogutskaya, Rodrigues et Collares-Pereira) and S. alburnoides (Steindachner) complex (only for the nuclear hybrids with at least one copy of the S. pyrenaicus genome). Complete metamorphose was achieved in 6 to 14 days at mean temperatures ranging from 21.8 to 26.1 °C. The current study provides support for cell migration being the main force of cyst formation and shows the influence of potential host's genome in response to the infection process to determine the success of the metamorphosis ©Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre ASCR.Peer Reviewe

  • Redescription of Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885 (Bivalvia, Unionidae), an endemism from the south-western Iberian Peninsula
    Taylor & Francis, 2009
    Co-Authors: Reis Joaquim, Araujo Rafael
    Abstract:

    The possible occurrence of Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 on the Iberian Peninsula has been a controversial issue since the nineteenth century. Several characters, including molecular, morphological and life cycle, show that the Iberian taxon is related to, but well differentiated from, the central European U. crassus. The valid name for this Iberian taxon is Unio tumidiformis Castro, 188512. Castro , JS . 1885 . Unionidae nouveaux du Portugal . Bull Soc Malacol France. , 2 : 277 – 294 . View all references. Live populations are distributed throughout the Guadiana, Mira and Sado river basins. Unio tumidiformis can be distinguished from other Unio species by its regular oval shape, high relative height and width, strong wavy umbonal rugae, supra-cardinal tooth on the right valve, and lower Glochidium height. From the potential fish hosts tested, only Squalius alburnoides (Steindachner, 1866) resulted in juvenile drop-off, suggesting some degree of specialization in the parasite–host relationship. The endemic nature, population status and habitat of U. tumidiformis make this species important from a conservation point of view.The author Joaquim Reis received a grant from the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (SFRH/BD/12687/2003) and two Synthesis grants (ES-TAF-1005 and FR-TAF-985) for studying the MNCN and MNHN collectionsPeer reviewe

  • The Identity and Biology of Unio Mancus Lamarck, 1819 (= U. Elongatulus) (Bivalvia Unionidae) in the Iberian Peninsula
    Oxford University Press, 2005
    Co-Authors: Araujo Rafael, Gómez Ignacio, Machordom Annie
    Abstract:

    7 páginas, 2 figuras, 2 tables..Genetic variability, shell morphology, anatomy, reproductive season, Glochidium morphology and host fish of several Iberian populations of Unio mancus Lamarck, 1819 ( = U. elongatulus C. Pfeiffer, 1825) were examined. The genetics of three allopatric populations were studied, including two ‘races’ previously described for this species on the Iberian Peninsula. All shared the same haplotype of the COI mitochondrial gene. It is proposed that all known Iberian Mediterranean populations of the genus Unio correspond to Unio mancus. All mature specimens studied were dioecious. Glochidial release occurred between March and August. The barbel Barbus graellsii was the natural host of the U. mancus glochidia in the studied area. In artificial infestations performed in aquaria, seven fish species, all native, carried the glochidia throughout their complete metamorphosis. This process occurred in 141 degree/days. Newly released juveniles were spherical and had a thin marginal rim of new shell.We wish to thank to the Departamento de Medio Ambiente de la Diputación General de Aragón (DGA) for their support with the project Conservación de especies amenazadas de moluscos acuáticos de AragónPeer reviewe

Silvano Focardi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • potential role of cholinesterases in the invasive capacity of the freshwater bivalve anodonta woodiana bivalvia unionacea a comparative study with the indigenous species of the genus anodonta sp
    Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C-toxicology & Pharmacology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Ilaria Corsi, Angela Maria Pastore, Antonella Lodde, Lucio Castagnolo, Emanuela Palmerini, Silvano Focardi
    Abstract:

    To address the potential role of cholinesterase enzymes in the invasive capacity of species, the present study investigated ChE activity in the invasive freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) comparing it with that of the indigenous species, Anodonta sp. (Linnaeus, 1758). The invasive capacity of pests has often been linked to their ecological plasticity and high intrinsic genetic variability; however the role played by molecular and cellular mechanisms, generally known as an organism's response to pollution, is unclear. Different substrates and selective ChE enzyme inhibitors were investigated in digestive gland, foot, gonad, adductor muscle and gill tissues while sensitivity to four organophosphate (OP) insecticides was investigated in vitro only in adductor muscle. The invasive species (A. woodiana) showed significantly greater (at least one order of magnitude) ChE activity than the endemic species (Anodonta sp.) (p < 0.05) using acetylthiocholine (ASCh) as substrate and the activity was more widely distributed in tissues involved in movement (adductor muscle and foot), respiration, feeding (gills) and reproduction (gonads). Moreover, only the invasive species, A. woodiana, showed detectable ChE (vs. ASCh) activity in gill tissue. No substrate specificity was observed in any tissue of either species as already described for other bivalve species. ChE activity was not inhibited by Iso-OMPA but showed high sensitivity to BW248c51 and eserine. Both species showed moderate to low sensitivities in vitro to OP insecticides in the range 10− 7–10− 2 M. Calculated IC50 for fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos was in the range 10− 6–10− 3 M in muscle of A. woodiana while a higher inhibition was observed for fenitrothion (10− 7 M) and lower for chlorpyrifos (10− 2 M) in the indigenous species Anodonta sp. Similar IC50 of 10− 5–10− 6 M were observed for DFP and azamethiphos in both species. The hypotheses of other authors that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is involved in the control of many essential functions, such as frontal ciliary activity of gill epithelium, temperature resistance, ciliary activity for transport of suspended particulate, valve opening and embryo development, suggest that the high catalytic efficiency of the invasive species may endow it with a competitive advantage over the endemic species. In view of the peculiar reproductive strategy of these mussels, higher ChE vs. ASCh activity in gonads of the invasive species could also favour Glochidium production and embryo development under a wider range of environmental conditions.

  • A potential role of cholinesterases in the invasive capacity of the freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) (Bivalvia: unionacea): a comparative study with the indigenous species of the genus Anodonta sp. (Linnaeus, 1758).
    2007
    Co-Authors: Ilaria Corsi, Angela Maria Pastore, Antonella Lodde, Lucio Castagnolo, Emanuela Palmerini, Silvano Focardi
    Abstract:

    To address the potential role of cholinesterase enzymes in the invasive capacity of species, the present study investigated ChE activity in the invasive freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) comparing it with that of the indigenous species, Anodonta sp. (Linnaeus, 1758). The invasive capacity of pests has often been linked to their ecological plasticity and high intrinsic genetic variability; however the role played by molecular and cellular mechanisms, generally known as an organism's response to pollution, is unclear. Different substrates and selective ChE enzyme inhibitors were investigated in digestive gland, foot, gonad, adductor muscle and gill tissues while sensitivity to four organophosphate (OP) insecticides was investigated in vitro only in adductor muscle. The invasive species (A. woodiana) showed significantly greater (at least one order of magnitude) ChE activity than the endemic species (Anodonta sp.) (pb0.05) using acetylthiocholine (ASCh) as substrate and the activity was more widely distributed in tissues involved in movement (adductor muscle and foot), respiration, feeding (gills) and reproduction (gonads). Moreover, only the invasive species, A. woodiana, showed detectable ChE (vs. ASCh) activity in gill tissue. No substrate specificity was observed in any tissue of either species as already described for other bivalve species. ChE activity was not inhibited by Iso-OMPA but showed high sensitivity to BW248c51 and eserine. Both species showed moderate to low sensitivities in vitro to OP insecticides in the range 10−7–10−2 M. Calculated IC50 for fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos was in the range 10−6–10−3 M in muscle of A. woodiana while a higher inhibition was observed for fenitrothion (10−7 M) and lower for chlorpyrifos (10−2 M) in the indigenous species Anodonta sp. Similar IC50 of 10−5–10−6 M were observed for DFP and azamethiphos in both species. The hypotheses of other authors that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is involved in the control of many essential functions, such as frontal ciliary activity of gill epithelium, temperature resistance, ciliary activity for transport of suspended particulate, valve opening and embryo development, suggest that the high catalytic efficiency of the invasive species may endow it with a competitive advantage over the endemic species. In view of the peculiar reproductive strategy of these mussels, higher ChE vs. ASCh activity in gonads of the invasive species could also favour Glochidium production and embryo development under a wider range of environmental conditions

Joaquim Reis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Host specificity and metamorphosis of the Glochidium of the freshwater mussel Unio tumidiformis (Bivalvia: Unionidae)
    Folia Parasitologica, 2014
    Co-Authors: Joaquim Reis, Maria João Collares-pereira, Rafael Araujo
    Abstract:

    The Glochidium larvae of freshwater mussels of the family Unionidae need to find suitable hosts to attach themselves and metamorphose into free-living juveniles. The specificity of the host-parasite relationship was investigated for the Iberian Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885 by means of experimental infections and also by analyzing naturally infected fish. The process of encapsulation of glochidia was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Unio tumidiformis has proven to be an unusual host-specific unionid mussel, apparently parasitizing only fish of the genus Squalius Bonaparte, 1837. Successful encapsulation or complete metamorphosis was observed in five fish taxa: S. aradensis (Coelho, Bogutskaya, Rodrigues et Collares-Pereira), S. caroliterti (Doadrio), S. pyrenaicus (Gunther), S. torgalensis (Coelho, Bogutskaya, Rodrigues et Collares-Pereira) and S. alburnoides (Steindachner) complex (only for the nuclear hybrids with at least one copy of the S. pyrenaicus genome). Complete metamorphose was achieved in 6 to 14 days at mean temperatures ranging from 21.8 to 26.1 degrees C. The current study provides support for cell migration being the main force of cyst formation and shows the influence of potential host's genome in response to the infection process to determine the success of the metamorphosis.

  • Redescription of Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885 (Bivalvia, Unionidae), an endemism from the south-western Iberian Peninsula
    Journal of Natural History, 2009
    Co-Authors: Joaquim Reis, Rafael Araujo
    Abstract:

    The possible occurrence of Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 on the Iberian Peninsula has been a controversial issue since the nineteenth century. Several characters, including molecular, morphological and life cycle, show that the Iberian taxon is related to, but well differentiated from, the central European U. crassus. The valid name for this Iberian taxon is Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885. Live populations are distributed throughout the Guadiana, Mira and Sado river basins. Unio tumidiformis can be distinguished from other Unio species by its regular oval shape, high relative height and width, strong wavy umbonal rugae, supra-cardinal tooth on the right valve, and lower Glochidium height. From the potential fish hosts tested, only Squalius alburnoides (Steindachner, 1866) resulted in juvenile drop-off, suggesting some degree of specialization in the parasite–host relationship. The endemic nature, population status and habitat of U. tumidiformis make this species important from a conservation point of view.

Reis Joaquim - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Host specificity and metamorphosis of the Glochidium of the freshwater mussel unio tumidiformis (Bivalvia: Unionidae)
    'Biology Centre AS CR', 2015
    Co-Authors: Reis Joaquim, Collares-pereira, Maria Joao, Araujo Rafael
    Abstract:

    The Glochidium larvae of freshwater mussels of the family Unionidae need to find suitable hosts to attach themselves and metamorphose into free-living juveniles. The specificity of the host-parasite relationship was investigated for the Iberian Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885 by means of experimental infections and also by analyzing naturally infected fish. The process of encapsulation of glochidia was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Unio tumidiformis has proven to be an unusual host-specific unionid mussel, apparently parasitizing only fish of the genus Squalius Bonaparte, 1837. Successful encapsulation or complete metamorphosis was observed in five fish taxa: S. aradensis (Coelho, Bogutskaya, Rodrigues et Collares-Pereira), S. caroliterti (Doadrio), S. pyrenaicus (Günther), S. torgalensis (Coelho, Bogutskaya, Rodrigues et Collares-Pereira) and S. alburnoides (Steindachner) complex (only for the nuclear hybrids with at least one copy of the S. pyrenaicus genome). Complete metamorphose was achieved in 6 to 14 days at mean temperatures ranging from 21.8 to 26.1 °C. The current study provides support for cell migration being the main force of cyst formation and shows the influence of potential host's genome in response to the infection process to determine the success of the metamorphosis ©Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre ASCR.Peer Reviewe

  • Redescription of Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885 (Bivalvia, Unionidae), an endemism from the south-western Iberian Peninsula
    Taylor & Francis, 2009
    Co-Authors: Reis Joaquim, Araujo Rafael
    Abstract:

    The possible occurrence of Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 on the Iberian Peninsula has been a controversial issue since the nineteenth century. Several characters, including molecular, morphological and life cycle, show that the Iberian taxon is related to, but well differentiated from, the central European U. crassus. The valid name for this Iberian taxon is Unio tumidiformis Castro, 188512. Castro , JS . 1885 . Unionidae nouveaux du Portugal . Bull Soc Malacol France. , 2 : 277 – 294 . View all references. Live populations are distributed throughout the Guadiana, Mira and Sado river basins. Unio tumidiformis can be distinguished from other Unio species by its regular oval shape, high relative height and width, strong wavy umbonal rugae, supra-cardinal tooth on the right valve, and lower Glochidium height. From the potential fish hosts tested, only Squalius alburnoides (Steindachner, 1866) resulted in juvenile drop-off, suggesting some degree of specialization in the parasite–host relationship. The endemic nature, population status and habitat of U. tumidiformis make this species important from a conservation point of view.The author Joaquim Reis received a grant from the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (SFRH/BD/12687/2003) and two Synthesis grants (ES-TAF-1005 and FR-TAF-985) for studying the MNCN and MNHN collectionsPeer reviewe