Bats, Bat Flies, and Fungi: A Case of Hyperparasitism. Issue 9 (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haelewaters, Danny; Hiller, Thomas; Dick, Carl W.
• Is Part Of: Trends in parasitology. Volume 34:Issue 9(2018)
• Page Start: 784
• Page End: 799
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: bat flies -- Chiroptera -- ectoparasites -- host specificity -- Laboulbeniales -- tripartite interactions; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Parasitology; Biology; Parasitologie -- Périodiques; Online resources; 571.999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.06.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-4922

Abstract

Abstract : Bats are parasitized by numerous lineages of arthropods, of which bat flies (Diptera, Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) are the most conspicuous. Bat flies themselves can be parasitized by Laboulbeniales, fungal biotrophs of arthropods. This is known as hyperparasitism, a severely understudied phenomenon. Three genera of Laboulbeniales occur on bat flies: Arthrorhynchus on Nycteribiidae, Gloeandromyces and Nycteromyces on Streblidae. In this review we introduce the parasitic partners in this tripartite system and discuss their diversity, ecology, and specificity patterns, alongside some important life history traits. Furthermore, we cover recent advances in the study of the associations between bat flies and Laboulbeniales, which were neglected for decades. Among the most immediate needs for further studies are detailed tripartite field surveys. The vermin only teaze and pinch Their foes superior by an inch So, naturalists observe, a flea Has smaller fleas that on him prey; And these have smaller still to bite 'em, And so proceed ad infinitum. Jonathan Swift (On Poetry: A Rhapsody, 1733) Highlights: Bat flies have been studied in a variety of contexts, including host associations and specificity, how bat ecology and roosting biology affects parasitism, and how fly morphology functions to allow coexistence of species on bat individuals and populations. Many bat–bat fly parameters are applicable to understanding the dynamics of hyperparasites. Laboulbeniales associated with bat flies have been recently rediscovered. Studies since 2015 have revealed many new hosts, host associations, and undescribed taxa. These trends hint at the true diversity of these unique fungi. Morphological and molecular diversity of Laboulbeniales are not aligned. Several morphotypes of the same phylogenetic species as well as multiple phylogenetic species can occur on a single bat fly. Finally, phenotypic plasticity can be extreme, to the point that certain morphotypes of phylogenetic species overlap.