A Holistic Approach to Parasitoid-Host Interaction Along an Elevational Gradient Revealed Coevolution Driven by Host Foraging Strategy.

ABSTRACT: The evolutionary processes that shape host-parasitoid coexistence in a changing environment are poorly understood. We examined the large-scale distribution of highly specialised polysphinctine Darwin wasps associated with spiders along an elevational gradient and tested the hypothesis that distribution and parasitism rates depend on elevation, habitat type and the species and age composition of the host community. Further, on the basis of a large-scale dataset, we examined the hypothesis that three-dimensional webs in spiders may be an evolutionary adaptation against polysphinctine parasitoids. We found significant variation in parasitoid distribution and parasitism rates along a 1500 m elevational gradient in central Europe. The optimal model showed a humped shape for the parasitism rate

SUBMITTER: Cernecka L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11991926 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature