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Geographic Patterns in the Evolution of Resistance and Virulence in Drosophila and Its Parasitoids

Abstract:
Many insects are attacked by internal parasitoids against which they mount a largely cellular immunological defense. The resistance of a host and the virulence of a parasitoid determine which species survives after parasitism. Drosophila is parasitized by several hymenopterous parasitoids, especially those in the genera Asobara and Leptopilina. Geographic patterns have been found in parasitoid virulence and host resistance, the clearest of which is a cline in Asobara tabida virulence from the north (low) to the south (high)of Europe. Drosophila melanogaster resistance is highest in centralsouthern Europe and lower elsewhere. We review and interpret these patterns in the light of recent experimental and theoretical studies of the evolution and coevolution of these traits. We find no evidence for genotype-specific virulence and defense, which makes “Red Queen”–type coevolution unlikely. The most important explanation for the patterns is geographic differences in host-parasitoid community structure. Asobara tabida virulence is positively correlated with the resistance of its main hosts, and there is more limited evidence that D. melanogaster resistance is influenced by the virulence of its parasitoids.We critically appraise whether the evidence available so far supports a coevolutionary explanation for the levels of these traits.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1086/303212

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Institution:
Imperial College at Silwood Park
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Zoology
Role:
Author

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Publisher:
University of Chicago Press
Journal:
American Naturalist More from this journal
Volume:
153
Issue:
S5
Pages:
S61–S74
Publication date:
1999-05-01
Edition:
Publisher's version
DOI:
ISSN:
0003-0147


Language:
English
Keywords:
Subjects:
UUID:
uuid:197b8412-29eb-4aa6-83b1-153f830f6148
Local pid:
ora:2278
Deposit date:
2008-09-04
ARK identifier:

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