Amat I, van Alphen JJ, Kacelnik A, Desouhant E, Bernstein C. Adaptations to different habitats in sexual and asexual populations of parasitoid wasps: a meta-analysis.
PeerJ 2017;
5:e3699. [PMID:
28924495 PMCID:
PMC5600175 DOI:
10.7717/peerj.3699]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Coexistence of sexual and asexual populations remains a key question in evolutionary ecology. We address the question how an asexual and a sexual form of the parasitoid Venturia canescens can coexist in southern Europe. We test the hypothesis that both forms are adapted to different habitats within their area of distribution. Sexuals inhabit natural environments that are highly unpredictable, and where density of wasps and their hosts is low and patchily distributed. Asexuals instead are common in anthropic environments (e.g., grain stores) where host outbreaks offer periods when egg-load is the main constraint on reproductive output.
METHODS
We present a meta-analysis of known adaptations to these habitats. Differences in behavior, physiology and life-history traits between sexual and asexual wasps were standardized in term of effect size (Cohen's d value; Cohen, 1988).
RESULTS
Seeking consilience from the differences between multiple traits, we found that sexuals invest more in longevity at the expense of egg-load, are more mobile, and display higher plasticity in response to thermal variability than asexual counterparts.
DISCUSSION
Thus, each form has consistent multiple adaptations to the ecological circumstances in the contrasting environments.
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