title: Genotypic and phenotypic variation in transmission traits of a complex life cycle parasite.
abstract: Characterizing genetic variation in parasite transmission traits and its contribution to parasite vigor is essential for understanding the evolution of parasite life-history traits. We measured genetic variation in output, activity, survival, and infection success of clonal transmission stages (cercaria larvae) of a complex life cycle parasite (Diplostomum pseudospathaceum). We further tested if variation in host nutritional stage had an effect on these traits by keeping hosts on limited or ad libitum diet. The traits we measured were highly variable among parasite genotypes indicating significant genetic variation in these life-history traits. Traits were also phenotypically variable, for example, there was significant variation in the measured traits over time within each genotype. However, host nutritional stage had no effect on the parasite traits suggesting that a short-term reduction in host resources was not limiting the cercarial output or performance. Overall, these results suggest significant interclonal and phenotypic variation in parasite transmission traits that are not affected by host nutritional status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä P.O. Box 35, FI-40014, Jyväskylä, Finland.
authors.forename: Katja-Riikka
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Louhi
authors.forename: Anssi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karvonen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rellstab
authors.forename: Jukka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jokela
keywords: Bet hedging; Trematoda; host condition; host–parasite interaction; phenotypic plasticity
references.citation: Parasitology. 2003 Sep;127(Pt 3):217-24
references.pmid: 12964824
references.citation: Proc Biol Sci. 2004 Apr 7;271(1540):739-44
references.pmid: 15209108
references.citation: Parasitology. 2011 Feb;138(2):209-14
references.pmid: 20800013
references.citation: Evol Appl. 2009 Feb;2(1):11-23
references.pmid: 20305703
references.citation: Infect Genet Evol. 2010 Dec;10(8):1271-7
references.pmid: 20804859
references.citation: Parasitology. 1994;109 Suppl:S3-13
references.pmid: 7854849
references.citation: Oecologia. 2000 Feb;122(2):200-209
references.pmid: 28308373
references.citation: Am Nat. 2004 Nov;164 Suppl 5:S19-32
references.pmid: 15540139
references.citation: Proc Biol Sci. 2010 Aug 22;277(1693):2531-40
references.pmid: 20392725
references.citation: Evolution. 2005 May;59(5):1006-15
references.pmid: 16136800
references.citation: Oecologia. 1999 May;119(3):320-325
references.pmid: 28307754
references.citation: Evolution. 1991 Jun;45(4):827-852
references.pmid: 28564044
references.citation: Infect Genet Evol. 2011 Aug;11(6):1276-86
references.pmid: 21554995
references.citation: J Parasitol. 2007 Oct;93(5):1244-6
references.pmid: 18163370
references.citation: Proc Biol Sci. 2001 Feb 7;268(1464):251-7
references.pmid: 11217894
references.citation: Science. 1988 Sep 16;241(4872):1449-55
references.pmid: 17790040
references.citation: Adv Parasitol. 1996;37:107-34
references.pmid: 8881599
references.citation: Parasitology. 1994;109 Suppl:S15-29
references.pmid: 7854848
references.citation: J Evol Biol. 2004 Jan;17(1):33-40
references.pmid: 15000645
references.citation: Parasitology. 2004 Oct;129(Pt 4):473-8
references.pmid: 15521636
references.citation: Heredity (Edinb). 2007 Apr;98(4):206-13
references.pmid: 17203010
references.citation: Proc Biol Sci. 2000 Apr 22;267(1445):793-9
references.pmid: 10819149
references.citation: Int J Parasitol. 2013 May;43(6):485-91
references.pmid: 23416153
references.citation: Exp Parasitol. 1988 Jun;66(1):78-85
references.pmid: 3366217
references.citation: Oecologia. 2003 Mar;134(4):479-86
references.pmid: 12647119
references.citation: J Helminthol. 1989 Mar;63(1):1-5
references.pmid: 2723382
references.citation: J Helminthol. 1989 Jun;63(2):79-83
references.pmid: 2738384
references.citation: Parasitology. 2005 Jun;130(Pt 6):637-42
references.pmid: 15977900
references.citation: Parasitology. 2004 Jul;129(Pt 1):87-92
references.pmid: 15267115
references.citation: Evolution. 1999 Jun;53(3):689-703
references.pmid: 28565637
references.citation: Science. 2005 Sep 23;309(5743):2075-8
references.pmid: 16123265
references.citation: Annu Rev Entomol. 1999;44:535-60
references.pmid: 15012381
references.citation: J Parasitol. 1997 Feb;83(1):96-104
references.pmid: 9057703