Relative geographic range of sibling species of host damselflies does not reliably predict differential parasitism by water mites.

ABSTRACT:

Background

One of the main challenges in evolutionary parasitology is to determine the factors that explain variation among host species in parasitism. In this study, we addressed whether host phylogeny or ecology was important in determining host species use by water mites. Parasitism (prevalence and intensity) by Arrenurus water mites was examined in relation to geographic distribution of host damselflies from sibling species pairs. In addition, the likelihood of putative mite species parasitizing both species of a host species pair was explored.

Results

A total of 1162 damselflies were examined for water mites across four sites in Southeastern Ontario. These damselflies represent ten species (five closely related host species pairs) in the Coenagrionidae. Only two of the

SUBMITTER: Mlynarek JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3880071 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature