Journal article
Parasite adaptation to locally common host genotypes
Nature (London), Vol.405(6787), pp.679-681
06/08/2000
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/115723
PMID: 10864323
Abstract
According to the Red Queen hypothesis-which states that interactions
among species (such as hosts and parasites) lead to constant natural selection
for adaptation and counter-adaptation-the disproportionate evolutionary
success of parasites on common host genotypes leads to correlated selection
for sexual reproduction and local adaptation
by the parasite population. Here we determined
whether local adaptation is due to disproportionate infection of common host
genotypes, and, if so, whether infection of common host genotypes is due to
commonness per se, or some other aspect of these genotypes. In a reciprocal
cross-inoculation experiment parasites occupying the same geographical area
(sympatric) infected locally common host genotypes significantly more often
than rare host genotypes, whereas parasites occupying separate geographical
areas (allopatric) showed no such significant difference. A mixed source of
parasites (containing F1 hybrids) also showed no difference in
infection between rare and common host genotypes. These results show that
local adaptation results from parasite tracking of locally common host genotypes,
and, as such, a necessary condition of the Red Queen hypothesis is met.
Metrics
7 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Parasite adaptation to locally common host genotypes
- Creators
- Curtis M LivelyMark F Dybdahl - Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University
- Publication Details
- Nature (London), Vol.405(6787), pp.679-681
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Identifiers
- 99900547466401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article