Idiosyncratic effects of bacterial infection on female fecundity in <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>.

ABSTRACT: Existing theories make different predictions regarding the effect of a pathogenic infection on the host capacity to reproduce. Terminal investment theory suggests that due to the increased risk of mortality, and the associated risk of losing future opportunity to reproduce, infected individuals would increase their investment towards reproduction. Life-history theory posits that due to energetic and resource costs associated with mounting an immune defense, hosts would decrease their investment towards reproduction, and reallocate resources towards defense and survival. Additionally, Somatic damage incurred by the host due to the infection is also expected to compromise the host capacity to reproduce. We explored these possibilities in Drosophila melanogaster females experimentally

SUBMITTER: Basu A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11480512 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature