Trypanosoma acerinae
Brumpt, 1906
Common Name:
A flagellate parasite
Synonyms and Other Names:
Identification:
Typical forms of T. acerinae, a protozoan in the family Trypanosomidae, exhibit a fusiform body with flat pointed ends that curve inward to form a partial ring. There is a flagellum attached to a thick pellicle (retaining envelope). Each prokaryotic cell contains one nucleus and the flagellum is fixed to a kinetoplast – a specialized mitochondrial region (Jastrzebski 1984; Verma 2005). In their synthesis, Muzzall and Whelan (2011) identified at least 3 separate named species of Trypanosoma in the Great Lakes. Trypanosoma catostomi was identified in Catostomus commersonii (White Sucker) in Lakes Huron and Erie and is believed to be native. T. borreli reported by Mavor (1916) from the same species in Georgian Bay is also considered native. Pronin et al (1998) indicate the possibility of 3 or more species of Trypanosoma in Lake Superior – the non-native T. acerinae in Gymnocephalus cernuus (ruffe), as well as 3 separate types (designated only I, II and III) found in Cottus ricei and Cottus cognatus (sculpins).
Due to the difficulties in identifying members of this genus to species, we strongly encourage investigators to deposit voucher specimens in depositories such as the United States National Parasite Collection.
Size:
2-3.5 µm thick and 34-49 µm in length when stretched flat, excluding the flagellum. The free part of the flagellum is 8-17 µm long (Jastrzebski 1984).
Native Range:
Trypanosoma acerinae is believed to be native to Eurasia, where it appears to be host specific for Eurasian Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua) (Pronin et al. 1998, USDI 1993). Alternate invertebrate hosts are unknown.
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This map only depicts Great Lakes introductions.
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Great Lakes Nonindigenous Occurrences:
This species was first isolated in the Great Lakes from Eurasian Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua) in Pokegama Bay (St. Louis River), Wisconsin in 1992 (Pronin et al. 1998). It may have been present since the time its host fish was introduced in the 1980s (U. S. Department of the Interior 1993, Pronin et al. 1998). Note that the parasites collected from native sculpins in Lake Michigan originally considered to be Trypanosoma acerinae, may have been a separate species as T. acerinae otherwise has been found only in Eurasian Ruffe.
Table 1. Great Lakes region nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state/province, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Trypanosoma acerinae are found here.
Table last updated 5/1/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology:
Trypanosoma is a blood parasite of vertebrates and has the potential to be pathogenic. In its native range, T. acerinae is considered specific to Ruffe (U. S. Department of the Interior 1993).
Means of Introduction:
T. acerinae was likely introduced with its host fish (Eurasian Ruffe) in ballast water (U. S. Department of the Interior 1993).
Status:
Established.
Great Lakes Impacts:
Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...
There is little or no evidence to support that Trypanosoma acerinae has significant environmental impacts in the Great Lakes.
Realized:
Trypanosoma acerinae was found in 10% of the introduced Eurasian Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua), its only known host, sampled from Pokegama Bay, Lake Superior in 1992 (Pronin et al. 1998). It is not known to parasitize any Great Lakes native species, although trypanosomes in general incorporate both a fish and a leech host (Laveran and Mesnil 1907). The effect of Trypanosoma spp. in general is difficult to measure based on the small number of studies performed (Muzzall and Whelan 2011); nonetheless, given it is limited to an invasive host, it is expected to have no direct negative impact on native species.
There is little or no evidence to support that Trypanosoma acerinae has significant socio-economic impacts in the Great Lakes.
There is little or no evidence to support that Trypanosoma acerinae has significant beneficial effects in the Great Lakes.
While a parasite of the nonindigenous Eurasian Ruffe in the Great Lakes, there are no known reports of T. acerinae impacting Ruffe populations.
Management:
Regulations (pertaining to the Great Lakes)
There are no known regulations for this species.
Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
There are no known biological control methods for this species.
Physical
There are no known physical control methods for this species.
Chemical
There are no known chemical control methods for this species.
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Kipp, R.M., A.K.Bogdanoff, A. Fusaro and R. Sturtevant.
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
9/13/2019
Citation for this information:
Kipp, R.M., A.K.Bogdanoff, A. Fusaro and R. Sturtevant., 2024, Trypanosoma acerinae Brumpt, 1906: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=2369&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DGreatLakes, Revision Date: 9/13/2019, Access Date: 5/2/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.