Few parasites, and no evidence for Wolbachia infections, in a freshwater ostracod inhabiting temporary ponds

0351516 - ÚBO 2012 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Bruvo, Ružica - Adolfsson, S. - Symonová, R. - Lamatsch, D. K. - Schön, I. - Jokela, J. - Butlin, R. K. - Müller, S.
Few parasites, and no evidence for Wolbachia infections, in a freshwater ostracod inhabiting temporary ponds.
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. Roč. 102, č. 1 (2011), s. 208-216. ISSN 0024-4066. E-ISSN 1095-8312
Grant - others:Marie Curie Research Training Network(XE) MRTN-CT-2004-512492
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60930519
Keywords : alphaproteobacteria * Cyprididae * maintenance of sex * microcrustaceans * parthenogenesis * Red Queen * temporary pools
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology
Impact factor: 2.193, year: 2011

In the freshwater ostracod Eucypris virens, both sexual and asexual reproduction is known, and we speculated that parasite pressures might help to explain their co-existence. This species complex inhabits shallow, often eutrophic temporary water bodies, conditions that should provide ample opportunities for parasite infections. We surveyed natural populations of E. virens throughout its Europe-wide range for natural parasites, and particularly tested for the presence of intracellular Wolbachia bacteria. Surprisingly, the results indicate that very few E. virens populations support parasite infections. We also found no evidence for the presence of Wolbachia in the populations screened. The results therefore show that parasitic infections do not play a role in the maintenance of sex in this system.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0191252