Canalization of body size matters for lifetime reproductive success of male predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

ABSTRACT: The adaptive canalization hypothesis predicts that highly fitness-relevant traits are canalized via past selection, resulting in low phenotypic plasticity and high robustness to environmental stress. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the level of phenotypic plasticity of male body size of the predatory mites Phytoseiulus persimilis (low plasticity) and Neoseiulus californicus (high plasticity) reflects the effects of body size variation on fitness, especially male lifetime reproductive success (LRS). We first generated small and standard-sized males of P. persimilis and N. californicus by rearing them to adulthood under limited and ample prey supply, respectively. Then, adult small and standard-sized males were provided with surplus virgin females throughout lif

SUBMITTER: Walzer A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4133644 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature