Genetic covariance in immune measures and pathogen resistance in decorated crickets is sex and pathogen specific.

ABSTRACT: Insects are important models for studying immunity in an ecological and evolutionary context. Yet, most empirical work on the insect immune system has come from phenotypic studies meaning we have a limited understanding of the genetic architecture of immune function in the sexes. We use nine highly inbred lines to thoroughly examine the genetic relationships between a suite of commonly used immune assays (haemocyte count, implant encapsulation, total phenoloxidase activity, antibacterial zone of inhibition and pathogen clearance) and resistance to infection by three generalist insect pathogens (the gram-negative bacterium Serratia marcescens, the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus cereus and the fungus Metarhizium robertsii) in male and female Gryllodes sigillatus. There were consistent posi

SUBMITTER: Letendre C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9545791 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature