Senior lecturer in Evolutionary Ecology
Équipe écologie évolutive
UMR CNRS/uB 6282 Biogéosciences
Université de Bourgogne
6 bd Gabriel
21000 Dijon, France
Academic background
- HDR, Université de Bourgogne, 2007
- PhD in Agronomical Sciences and Evolution, ENSAM – 1993
- DEA (MSc) in Evolutionary Ecology, ENSAM/Université Montpellier II – 1990
- Graduate studies in Agronomical Sciences, Crop Protection (Ingeneer), Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique, Montpellier (ENSAM) – 1987.
Research interests
My main current interest is in the evolutionary ecology of host-parasite interactions, more specifically in parasitic manipulation. The model organisms are acanthocephalan parasites, infecting freshwater crustacean intermediate hosts and fish or bird final hosts.
I am addressing the evolutionary significance of parasite-induced behavioural alterations with a specific emphasis on changes in anti-predator defenses (such as odour-evoked escape responses, choice of microhabitat). This also implies a better understanding of how protective behaviours develop and are mopdulated in response to environmental factors (fear, anxiety) .
More recently, I have started exploring the mechanistic basis of parasite manipulation, by focusing on candidate neuromodulatory pathways.
The study of parasite-induced alterations is now addressing the existence of a behavioural syndrome in infected manipulated hosts. Ultimately, this more integrated approach should improve our understanding of the evolution of parasite manipulation and of complex life cycle.
Teaching
- Courses in Evolutionary Biology
- Introduction to evolutionary parasitology
- Behavioral Ecology
Previous positions and research projects
1995- 1999 : Assistant Professor, laboratoire Ecologie Animale et Zoologie agricole, INRA – Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique, Montpellier (France)
- Haplo-diploidy in arrhenotokous tetranychid mites and Wolbachia infection
- Pseudo-arrhenotoky in phytoseiid mites.
1994-1995 : Post-doctoral position, Pr J.H. Werren’s lab., University of Rochester (USA), Lavoisier grant (french Ministry of foreign affairs)
- Research on Wolbachia infection and how bacteria density and strains affect cytoplasmic incompatibility in the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis.
Publications
Publications on insect community ecology in the Caribbean
Cyrille, N., Lelièvre, Y., Dumbardon-Martial, E., Vanbergen, A. Bretagnolle, F., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. Floral offer and seasonality shape plant-pollinator networks in tropical gardens. Ecosphere, in press.
Loiz, C., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Barro, A. 2024. Diversity and endemism of Arctiinae moth assemblages in serpentine dry lowlands in Cuba. Journal of Insect Conservation, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-024-00632-w.
Publications on parasitic manipulation
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Geffard, O., Caillot, G., Noury, P., Chaumot, A. 2025. Combined effects of parasitism and anthropogenic stressors on behaviour and biomarkers in the freshwater amphipod Gammarus fossarum: Dominant and additive effects prevail. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 119220.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Cezilly, F., Musset, O. 2024. Laser-based selective killing of a manipulative parasite reveals partial reversibility of phenotypic alterations in its intermediate host. Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases, in press.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Parrot, S. 2024. Contrasting alterations in brain chemistry in a crustacean intermediate host of two acanthocephalan parasites. Experimental Parasitology, 265, 108821.
Musset, O., Balourdet, A., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2023. Laser-based killing of a macroparasite inside its live invertebrate host. Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases, 4, 100135.
Perrot-Minnot, M. J., Cozzarolo,C. S.,Amin, O.,Barčák, D., Bauer,A., Filipović Marijić, V.,García–Varela, M., HernándezOrts, J. S., Le,T. T. Y., Nachev,M., Orosová,M., Rigaud,T., Šariri,S., Wattier,R., Reyda, F., Sures, B. 2023. Hooking the scientific community on thorny–headed worms: Interesting and exciting facts, knowledge gaps and perspectives for research directions on Acanthocephala. Parasite, 30: 23.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Balourdet, A., Musset, O. 2021. Optimization of anesthetic procedure in crustaceans: evidence for sedative and analgesic-like effect of MS-222 using a semi-automated device for exposure to noxious stimulus. Aquatic Toxicology, 240, pp.105981.
Fayard, M., Dechaume-Moncharmont, F.-X., Wattier, R. Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2020. Magnitude and direction of parasite-induced phenotypic alterations: a meta-analysis in acanthocephalans. Biological Reviews, in press. doi: 10.1111/brv.12606.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Bollache, L., Lagrue, C. 2019. Distribution of Pomphorhynchus laevis s.l. (Acanthocephala) among fish species at a local scale: importance of fish biomass density. Journal of Helminthology, 94: e99.
Fayard, M., Cézilly, F. & Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2019. Inter-population variation in the intensity of host manipulation by the fish acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus tereticollis: are the differences driven by predation risk? Parasitology, 146, 1296-1304.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Guyonnet, E., Bollache, L., Lagrue, C. 2019. Differential patterns of definitive host use by two fish acanthocephalans occurring in sympatry: Pomphorhynchus laevis and Pomphorhynchus tereticollis. International Journal for Parasitology, Parasites and Wildlife, 8, 135–144.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Špakulová, M., Wattier, R., Kotlík, P., Düşen, S., Aydoğdu, A. and Tougard, C. 2018. Contrasting phylogeography of two Western Palaearctic fish parasites despite similar life cycles. The Journal of Biogeography, 45(1): 101-115.
David, G. M., Staentzel, C., Schlumberger, O., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Beisel, J.-N., Hardion, L. 2018. A minimalist macroparasite diversity in the round goby of the Upper Rhine reduced to an exotic Acanthocephalan lineage. Parasitology, 145, 1020-1026.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Banchetry, L. & Cézilly, F. 2017. Anxiety-like behaviour increases safety from fish predation in an amphipod crustacea. Royal Society Open Science, 4(12): 171558.
Parrot, S., Pavón Vergés M., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Deneroy, L. 2017. External influences on Invertebrate brain histamine and related compounds via an automated derivatization method for capillary electrophoresis. ACS Chemical Neuroscience, 20: 1839-1846.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. Maddaleno, M. & Cézilly, F. 2016. Parasite-induced inversion of geotaxis in a freshwater amphipod: a role for anaerobic metabolism?. Functional Ecology, 30: 780–788.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J, Sanchez-Thirion, K. & Cézilly, F. 2014. Multidimensionality in host manipulation mimicked by serotonin injection. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, B, Biological Sciences, 20141915.
David, M., Salignon, M. & Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2014. Shaping the antipredator strategy: flexibility, consistency, and behavioral correlations under varying predation threat. Behavioral Ecology, 25: 1148-1156.
Cézilly, F., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Rigaud, T. 2014. Cooperation and conflict in host manipulation by parasites. Frontiers in Microbiology, 5, 248.
Dianne, L., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Bauer, A., Guvenatam, A. & Rigaud, T. 2014. Parasite-induced alteration of plastic response to predation threat: increased refuge use but lower food intake in Gammarus pulex infected with the acanothocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis. International Journal for Parasitology, 44: 211-216.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., 2013. Parasites as puppet masters: an unnecessary evolutionary excursion or a framework with real explanatory power? TREE (book review), 28: 195-196.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Dion, E. & Cézilly, F. 2013. Modulatory effects of the serotonergic and histaminergic systems on reaction to light in the crustacean Gammarus pulex. Neuropharmacology, 75: 31-37
Cézilly, F., Favrat, A. & Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2013. Multidimensionality in parasite-induced phenotypic alterations: ultimate versus proximate aspects. Journal of Experimental Biology, 216: 27–35.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Cézilly, F. 2013. Investigating candidate neuromodulatory systems underlying parasitic manipulation: concepts, limitations and prospects. Journal of Experimental Biology, 216: 134-141.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Maddaleno, M., Balourdet, A. & Cézilly, F. 2012. Host manipulation revisited: no evidence for a causal link between altered photophobia and increased trophic transmission of amphipods infected with acanthocephalans. Functional Ecology, 26: 1007-1014.
Špakulová M., Perrot-Minnot M.-J. & Neuhaus B. 2011. Resurrection of Pomphorhynchus tereticollis (Rudolphi, 1809) (Acanthocephala: Pomphorhynchidae) based on new morphological and molecular data. Helminthologia, 48: 268–277.
Médoc, V., Rigaud, T., Motreuil, S., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Bollache, L. 2011. Paratenic hosts as regular transmission route in the acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis: potential implications for food webs. Naturwissenschaften, 98:825–835.
Dianne, L., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Bauer, A, Gaillard, M. Léger, E. & Rigaud, T. 2011. Protection first then facilitation: a manipulative parasite modulates the vulnerability to predation of its intermediate host according to its own developmental stage. Evolution, 65: 2692-2698.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Gaillard, M., Dodet, R. & Cézilly, F. 2011. Interspecific differences in carotenoid content and sensitivity to UVB radiation in three Acanthocephalan parasites exploiting a common intermediate host. International Journal for Parasitology, 41: 173-181.
Dianne, L., Rigaud, T., Léger, E. Motreuil, S., Bauer, A. & Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2011. Intraspecific conflict over host manipulation between different larval stages of an acanthocephalan parasite. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 23: 2648-2655.
Rigaud, T., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Brown, M. J. F. 2010.Parasite and host assemblages: embracing the reality will improve our knowledge of parasite transmission and virulence. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 277: 3693-3702.
Cézilly, F. & Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2010. Interpreting multidimensionality in parasite-induced phenotypic alterations: panselectionism versus parsimony. Oikos, 119: 1224-1229.
Cézilly, F., Thomas, F. Médoc, V. & Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2010. Host-manipulation by parasites with complex life cycles: adaptive or not? Trends in Parasitology, 26: 311-317.
Sanchez, M.I., Thomas, F., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Biron, D.G., Bertrand-Michel, J. & Misse, D. 2009. Neurological and physiological disorders in Artemia harboring manipulative cestodes. Journal of Parasitology, 95: 20-24.
Kaldonski, N., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Dodet, R., Martinaud, G. & Cézilly, F. 2009. Carotenoid-based colour of acanthocephalan cystacanths plays no role in host manipulation. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 276 : 169-176.
Kaldonski, N., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Motreuil, S. & Cézilly, F. 2008. Infection with acanthocephalans increases the vulnerability of Gammarus pulex (Crustacea: Amphipoda) to non-host invertebrate predators. Parasitology, 135: 627-632.
Lagrue, C., Kaldonski, N., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Motreuil, S. & Bollache, L. 2007. Altered drift behavior and increased vulnerability to predation in intermediate hosts infected by an acanthocephalan parasite: field evidence for adaptive manipulation. Ecology, 88: 2839-2847.
Kaldonski, N., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Cézilly, F. 2007. on anti-predator behaviour of their intermediate host. Animal Behaviour, 74: 1311Differential influence of two acanthocephalan parasites-1317.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Kaldonski, N. & Cézilly, F. 2007. Susceptibility to predation and anti-predator behaviour in an acanthocephalan-infected amphipod: a test for the manipulation hypothesis. International Journal for Parasitology, 37: 645-651.
Tain, L., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., & Cézilly, F. 2007. Differential influence of Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala) on brain serotonergic activity in two congeneric host species. Biology Letters, 3: 68-71.
Tain, L., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., & Cézilly, F. 2006. Altered host behaviour and brain serotonergic activity caused by acanthocephalans: evidence for specificity. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 273: 3039-3045.
Ponton, F., Lefevre, T., Lebarbenchon, C., Thomas, F., Loxdale, H., Marche, Renault, L., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Biron, D. 2006. Behavioural manipulation in gammarids harbouring trematodes and acanthocephalans: a comparative study of the proximate factors using proteomics. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 273:2869-2877.
Bauer, A., Haine, E. H., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., & Rigaud, T. 2005. Polymorphus minutus (Acanthocephala) alters the geotactic and clonging behaviours of two intermediate hosts: Gammarus pulex (native host) and Gammarus roeseli (invasive host). Journal of Zoology, 267: 39-43.
Cézilly, F., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2005. Studying adaptive changes in the behaviour of infected hosts: A long and winding road. Behavioural Processes, 68: 223-228.
Gaillard, M., Juillet, C., Cézilly, F., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., 2004. Comparative study of carotenoid content of two freshwater amphipod species (Gammarus pulex and G. roeseli) and their common Acanthocephalan parasite Polymorphus minutus. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, serie B, 129: 129-136.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2004. Larval morphology, genetic divergence, and contrasting levels of host manipulation between forms of Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala). International Journal for Parasitology, 34 :45-54.
Publications on Wolbachia
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Cheval, B., Migeon, A. & Navajas, M. 2002. Contrasting effects of Wolbachia on cytoplasmic incompatibility and fecundity in the haplodiploid mite Tetranychus urticae. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 15: 808-817.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Werren, J. H. 2001. Meiotic and mitotic instability of two EMS-produced centric fragments in the haplodiploid wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Heredity, 87: 8-16.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Werren, J. H. 1999. Wolbachia infection and incompatibility dynamics in experimental selection lines. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 12: 272-282.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Norton, R. A. 1997. Obligate thelytoky in oribatid mites: no evidence for Wolbachia-inducement. The Canadian Entomologist, 129 : 691-698.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Guo, L. R. & Werren, J. H. 1996. Single and double infections with Wolbachia in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis: effects on compatibility. Genetics,143: 961-72.
Publications on mites reproductive system
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Migeon, A. & Navajas, M. 2004. Intergenomic interactions affect female reproduction: evidence from introgression and inbreeding depression in a haplodiploid mite. Heredity, 93: 551-558.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Lagnel, J., Migeon, A. & Navajas, M. 2000b. Tracking paternal genes with DALP markers in a pseudoarrhenotokous reproductive system: biparental transmission but haplodiploid like inheritance in the mite Neoseiulus californicus. Heredity, 84: 702-709.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Lagnel, J., Desmarais, E. & Navajas, M. 2000a. Isolation and characterization by direct amplification of length polymorphisms (DALP) of codominant genetic markers with mendelian inheritance in Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Experimental and Applied Acarology, 24: 795-803.
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Navajas, M. 1995. Biparental inheritance of RAPD markers in males of the pseudo-arrhenotokous mite Typhlodromus pyri. Genome, 38: 838-844.
Others
Voordouw, M. J., Stebbins, G ., Robinson, H. E., Perrot-Minnot M.-J., Rigaud, T., & Anholt, B. R. 2008. Genetic variation in the primary sex ratio in populations of the intertidal copepod, Tigriopus californicus, is widespread on Vancouver Island. Evolutionary Ecology Research 10: 1007-1023.
Wattier, R., Beguet, J., Gaillard, M., Müller, J. C., Bollache, L. & Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2006. Molecular markers for systematic identification and population genetics of the invasive Ponto-Caspian freshwater gammarid Dikerogammarus villosus (Crustacea, Amphipoda). Molecular Ecology Notes, 6: 487–489.
Haine, E.H., Brondani, E., Hume, K. D., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Gaillard, M. & Rigaud, T., 2004. Coexistence of three microsporidia parasites in populations of the freshwater amphipod Gammarus roeseli : Evidence for vertical transmission and positive effect on reproduction. International Journal of Parasitology, 34: 1137-1146.
Devin, S., Bollache, L., Beisel, J.-N., Moreteau, J.-C. & Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2005. Pigmentation polymorphism in the invasive amphipod species Dikerogammarus villosus: some insights into its maintenance. Journal of Zoology, 264: 391-397.
Navajas, M., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Lagnel ,J., Migeon, A., Bourse, T. & Cornuet, J.-M. 2002. Genetic structure of a greenhouse population of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae: spatio-temporal analysis with microsatellite markers. Insect Molecular Biology, 11: 157-165.
Navajas, M., Tsagkarakov, A., Lagnel, J. & Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 2000. Genetic differentiation in Tetranychus urticae (Acari : Tetranychidae): polymorphism, host races or sibling species ? Experimental and Applied Acarology, 24: 365-376.
Werren, J. H. & Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. 1999. An antennapedia-like mutation in Nasonia vitripennis .Journal of Heredity, 90: 319-320.
Westphal, E., Perrot-Minnot, M.-J., Kreiter, S. & Guttierez, J. 1992. Hypersensitive reaction of Solanum dulcamara to the gall mite Aceria cladophtirus causes an increased susceptibility to Tetranychus urticae. Experimental and Applied Acarology, 15: 15-26
Book Chapters
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Cézilly, F. 2010. Mechanisms of parasite-induced behavioral changes. Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior Breed, M. D. & Moore, J., eds. In Disease, Moore, J., section editor. Academic Press, Oxford (online encyclopedia).
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Cézilly, F. 2010. Parasite infection and host’s behaviour. Encyclopedia of Behavioral Neuroscience Koob, G., Le Moal, M. & Thompson, R., eds. In Ethology and neuroethology, Thierry, B., section editor. Academic Press, Oxford (online encyclopedia).
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Cézilly, F. 2009. Parasites and Behaviour. In Ecology and Evolution of Parasitism (Eds. F. Thomas, J.-F. Guégan, F. Renaud). Oxford University Press, Oxford (revised and translated version of the chapter below).
Perrot-Minnot, M.-J. & Cézilly, F. 2007. Parasites et comportement. In Écologie et évolution des systèmes parasités (Ed. F. Thomas, J.-F. Guégan, F. Renaud). Dunod, Paris.