Pronounced and prevalent intersexuality does not impede the 'Demon Shrimp' invasion.

ABSTRACT: Crustacean intersexuality is widespread and often linked to infection by sex-distorting parasites. However, unlike vertebrate intersexuality, its association with sexual dysfunction is unclear and remains a matter of debate. The 'Demon Shrimp,' Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, an amphipod that has invaded continental waterways, has recently become widespread in Britain. Intersexuality has been noted in D. haemobaphes but not investigated further. We hypothesise that a successful invasive population should not display a high prevalence of intersexuality if this condition represents a truly dysfunctional phenotype. In addition, experiments have indicated that particular parasite burdens in amphipods may facilitate invasions. The rapid and ongoing invasion of British waterways represents an opport

SUBMITTER: Green Etxabe A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4327250 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature