Genetic dissimilarity between mates, but not male heterozygosity, influences divorce in schistosomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Correlational studies strongly suggest that both genetic similarity and heterozygosity can influence female mate choice. However, the influence of each variable has usually been tested independently, although similarity and heterozygosity might be correlated. We experimentally determined the relative influence of genetic similarity and heterozygosity in divorce and re-mating in the monogamous endoparasite Schistosoma mansoni.

Methodology/principal findings

We performed sequential infections of vertebrate hosts with controlled larval populations of parasites, where sex and individual genetic diversity and similarity were predetermined before infection. Divorce rate increased significantly when females were given the opportunity to increase genetic dissimilarity thr

SUBMITTER: Beltran S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2553268 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature