A further cost for the sicker sex? Evidence for male-biased parasite-induced vulnerability to predation.

ABSTRACT: Males are typically the sicker sex. Data from multiple taxa indicate that they are more likely to be infected with parasites, and are less "tolerant," or less able to mitigate the fitness costs of a given infection, than females. One cost of infection for many animals is an increased probability of being captured by a predator. A clear, hitherto untested, prediction is therefore that this parasite-induced vulnerability to predation is more pronounced among males than females. We tested this prediction in the sexually size dimorphic guppy, Poecilia reticulata, in which females are typically larger than males. We either sham or experimentally infected guppies with Gyrodactylus turnbulli, elicited their escape response using an established protocol and measured the distance they covered durin

SUBMITTER: Stephenson JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4797162 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature