Parasitoid wasps influence where aphids die via an interspecific indirect genetic effect

Mouhammad Shadi Khudr*, Johan A. Oldekop, David Michael Shuker, Richard F. Preziosi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Host-parasite interactions are a key paradigm for understanding the process of coevolution. Central to coevolution is how genetic variation in interacting species allows parasites to evolve manipulative strategies. However, genetic variation in the parasite may also be associated with host phenotype changes, thereby changing the selection on both species. For instance, parasites often induce changes in the behaviour of their host to maximize their own fitness, yet the quantitative genetic basis for behavioural manipulation has not been fully demonstrated. Here, we show that the genotype of the parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi has a significant effect on where its aphid host Acyrthosiphon pisum moves to die following parasitism, including the likelihood that the aphid abandons the plant. These results provide a clear example of an interspecific indirect genetic effect whereby the genetics of one species influences the expression of a specific behavioural trait in another.

Original languageEnglish
Article number20121151
Number of pages4
JournalBiology Letters
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Jun 2013

Keywords

  • Parasitoid
  • Indirect genetic effects
  • Interspecific indirect genetic effects
  • Coevolution
  • Pea aphid
  • Microhabitat selection
  • Behavioral-changes
  • Host behavior
  • Hyperparasitism

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