Male-killing endosymbionts: influence of environmental conditions on persistence of host metapopulation
2008
How Male-Killing Bacteria Affect Host Dispersal
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Bonte Dries, Hovestadt Thomas, Poethke Hans-Joachim
Primary Institution: Würzburg University
Hypothesis
Male killing endosymbionts influence the evolution of host dispersal rates under varying environmental conditions.
Conclusion
Male killing endosymbionts increase host dispersal rates and can lead to high infection rates in metapopulations.
Supporting Evidence
- The invasion of male-killing endosymbionts led to increased dispersal rates in hosts.
- High infection rates can be maintained in metapopulations under certain environmental conditions.
- Extinction of host populations can occur under high dispersal rates.
Takeaway
Some bacteria can make male insects die before they are born, which helps the bacteria spread and makes the surviving females move around more.
Methodology
The study used an individual-based metapopulation model to simulate host-endosymbiont dynamics.
Limitations
The model does not account for fitness compensations for infected individuals.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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