Effects of an entomopathogenic fungus on the reproductive potential of Drosophila males.

ABSTRACT: While mortality is often the primary focus of pathogen virulence, non-lethal consequences, particularly for male reproductive fitness, are less understood; however, they are essential for understanding how sexual selection contributes to promoting resistance. We investigated how the fungal pathogen Metarhizium brunneum affects mating ability, fertility, and seminal fluid protein (SFP) expression of male Drosophila melanogaster paired with highly receptive virgin females in non-competitive settings. Depending on sex and dose, there was a 3-6-day incubation period after infection, followed by an abrupt onset of mortality. Meanwhile, the immune response was strongly induced already 38 h after infection and continued to increase as infection progressed. Latency to mate somewhat i

SUBMITTER: Liao A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10999951 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature