10.5061/DRYAD.G52J4
Kasl, Emily L.
Texas A&M University
McAllister, Chris T.
Eastern Oklahoma State College
Robison, Henry W.
Southern Arkansas University
Connior, Matthew B.
Northwest Arkansas Community College
Font, William F.
Southeastern Louisiana University
Criscione, Charles D.
Texas A&M University
Data from: Evolutionary consequence of a change in life cycle complexity:
a link between precocious development and evolution towards female-biased
sex allocation in a hermaphroditic parasite
Dryad
dataset
2015
Alloglossidium progeneticum
local sperm competition
Progenesis
Trematoda
2015-10-16T14:05:39Z
2015-10-16T14:05:39Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.12805
6859 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
The evolutionary consequences of changes in the complex life cycles of
parasites are not limited to the traits that directly affect transmission.
For instance, mating systems that are altered due to precocious sexual
maturation in what is typically regarded as an intermediate host may
impact opportunities for outcrossing. In turn, reproductive traits may
evolve to optimize sex allocation. Here we test the hypothesis that sex
allocation evolved towards a more female-biased function in populations of
the hermaphroditic digenean trematode Alloglossidium progeneticum that can
precociously reproduce in their second hosts. In these precocious
populations, parasites are forced to self-fertilize as they remain
encysted in their second hosts. In contrast, parasites in obligate 3-host
populations have more opportunities to outcross in their third host. We
found strong support that in populations with precocious development,
allocation to male resources was greatly reduced. We also identified a
potential phenotypically plastic response in a body size-sex allocation
relationship that may be driven by the competition for mates. These
results emphasize how changes in life cycle patterns that alter mating
systems can impact the evolution of reproductive traits in parasites.
ALPR_SexAllocation3 data sets of morphological measurements (intensity of
infection, host type/mating opportunity, and life history). See README
file for more detail.