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

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.

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Raw data - Parasites and a host’s sense of smell This 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