Number of the records: 1  

Bayesian inference supports the host selection hypothesis in explaining adaptive host specificity by European bitterling

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    SYSNO ASEP0473546
    Document TypeJ - Journal Article
    R&D Document TypeJournal Article
    Subsidiary JČlánek ve WOS
    TitleBayesian inference supports the host selection hypothesis in explaining adaptive host specificity by European bitterling
    Author(s) Smith, Carl (UBO-W) RID, ORCID, SAI
    Number of authors1
    Source TitleOecologia. - : Springer - ISSN 0029-8549
    Roč. 183, č. 2 (2017), s. 379-389
    Number of pages11 s.
    Languageeng - English
    CountryNL - Netherlands
    KeywordsBrood parasite ; Host–parasite co-evolution ; Oviposition ; Spawning site ; Superparasitism
    Subject RIVEG - Zoology
    OECD categoryEcology
    R&D ProjectsGA13-05872S GA ČR - Czech Science Foundation (CSF)
    Institutional supportUBO-W - RVO:68081766
    UT WOS000394254500007
    EID SCOPUS84997077997
    DOI10.1007/s00442-016-3780-5
    AnnotationGeneralist parasites have the capacity to infect multiple hosts. The temporal pattern of host specificity by generalist parasites is rarely studied, but is critical to understanding what variables underpin infection and thereby the impact of parasites on host species and the way they impose selection on hosts. Here, the temporal dynamics of infection of four species of freshwater mussel by European bitterling fish (Rhodeus amarus) was investigated over three spawning seasons. Bitterling lay their eggs in the gills of freshwater mussels, which suffer reduced growth, oxygen stress, gill damage and elevated mortality as a result of parasitism. The temporal pattern of infection of mussels by European bitterling in multiple populations was examined. Using a Bernoulli Generalized Additive Mixed Model with Bayesian inference it was demonstrated that one mussel species, Unio pictorum, was exploited over the entire bitterling spawning season. As the season progressed, bitterling showed a preference for other mussel species, which were inferior hosts. Temporal changes in host use reflected elevated density-dependent mortality in preferred hosts that were already infected. Plasticity in host specificity by bitterling conformed with the predictions of the host selection hypothesis. The relationship between bitterling and their host mussels differs qualitatively from that of avian brood parasites.
    WorkplaceInstitute of Vertebrate Biology
    ContactHana Slabáková, slabakova@ivb.cz, Tel.: 543 422 524
    Year of Publishing2018
Number of the records: 1  

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