10.5061/DRYAD.V52MQ
Reichard, Martin
Institute of Vertebrate Biology
Bryja, Josef
Institute of Vertebrate Biology
Polačik, Matej
Institute of Vertebrate Biology
Smith, Carl
University of St Andrews
Data from: No evidence for host specialization or host-race formation in
the European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus), a fish that parasitizes
freshwater mussels
Dryad
dataset
2011
Host Parasite Interactions
Rhodeus amarus
Anodonta
Unio
Coevolution
Holocene
2011-06-16T15:39:11Z
2011-06-16T15:39:11Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05198.x
27122 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Coevolutionary relationships between parasites and hosts can elevate the
rate of evolutionary changes due to reciprocal adaptations between
coevolving partners. Such relationships can result in the evolution of
host specificity. Recent methodological advances have permitted the
recognition of cryptic lineages, with important consequences for our
understanding of biological diversity. We used the European bitterling
(Rhodeus amarus), a freshwater fish that parasitizes unionid mussels, to
investigate host specialization across regions of recent and ancient
sympatry between coevolving partners. We combined genetic data (12
microsatellite and 2 mitochondrial markers) from five populations with
experimental data for possible mechanisms of host species recognition
(imprinting and conditioning). We found no strong evidence for the
existence of cryptic lineages in R. amarus, though a small proportion of
variation among individuals in an area of recent bitterling-mussel
association was statistically significant in explaining host specificity.
No other measures supported the existence of host-specific lineages.
Behavioural data revealed a weak effect of conditioning that biased
behavioural preferences toward specific host species. Host imprinting had
no effect on oviposition behaviour. Overall, we established that
populations of R. amarus show limited potential for specialization,
manifested as weak effects of host conditioning and genetic
within-population structure. Rhodeus amarus is the only species of
mussel-parasitizing fish in Europe, which contrasts with the species-rich
communities of bitterling in eastern Asia where several host-specific
bitterling occur. We discuss costs and constraints on the evolution of
host-specific lineages in our study system and more generally.
behav_data_bitterling_gentesdata from behavioural experiment reported in
the msgentes microsats
Palearctic