Direct evidence for increased disease resistance in polyandrous broods exists only in eusocial Hymenoptera.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The 'genetic diversity' hypothesis posits that polyandry evolved as a mechanism to increase genetic diversity within broods. One extension of this hypothesis is the 'genetic diversity for disease resistance' hypothesis (GDDRH). Originally designed for eusocial Hymenoptera, GDDRH states that polyandry will evolve as an effect of lower parasite prevalence in genetically variable broods. However, this hypothesis has been broadly applied to several other taxa. It is unclear how much empirical evidence supports GDDRH specifically, especially outside eusocial Hymenoptera.

Results

This question was addressed by conducting a literature review and posteriorly conducting meta-analyses on the data available using Hedges's g. The literature review found 10 direct and 32 indir

SUBMITTER: Soper DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8527725 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature