Adaptive sex-ratio manipulation in Pediculus humanus capitis: possible interpretations of Buxton's data.
The sex-ratio pattern of an exceptional population of human head lice (collected in the Colombo Prison, Ceylon, in 1934 to 1936) was found to be consistent with a current hypothesis on adaptive sex-ratio manipulation. Data suggest that the louse burdens were isolated and, therefore, small burdens were inbred. Thus, local mate competition favored females that produced offspring with a female bias. This is the first report to suggest that anopluran lice are capable of adaptive sex-ratio manipulation.
Rózsa
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Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Science, Budapest, Hungary.
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000469:parasitology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010374:Pediculus / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000469:parasitology*; D012744:Sex Ratio