Tumors (re)shape biotic interactions within ecosystems: Experimental evidence from the freshwater cnidarian Hydra.
Sci Total Environ
; 803: 149923, 2022 Jan 10.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34487898
ABSTRACT
While it is often assumed that oncogenic processes in metazoans can influence species interactions, empirical evidence is lacking. Here, we use the cnidarian Hydra oligactis to experimentally explore the consequences of tumor associated phenotypic alterations for its predation ability, relationship with commensal ciliates and vulnerability to predators. Unexpectedly, hydra's predation ability was higher in tumorous polyps compared to non-tumorous ones. Commensal ciliates colonized preferentially tumorous hydras than non-tumorous ones, and had a higher replication rate on the former. Finally, in a choice experiment, tumorous hydras were preferentially eaten by a fish predator. This study, for the first time, provides evidence that neoplastic growth has the potential, through effect(s) on host phenotype, to alter biotic interactions within ecosystems and should thus be taken into account by ecologists.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cnidaria
/
Hydra
/
Neoplasms
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Sci Total Environ
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Publication country:
HOLANDA
/
HOLLAND
/
NETHERLANDS
/
NL
/
PAISES BAJOS
/
THE NETHERLANDS