Open AccessThe evolutionary ecology of resistance to parasitoids by Drosophila
Author(s) -
Mark D. E. Fellowes,
H. C. J. Godfray
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
heredity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.441
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1365-2540
pISSN - 0018-067X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2540.2000.00685.x
Subject(s) - biology , drosophila melanogaster , evolutionary ecology , ecology , insecticide resistance , population , human evolutionary genetics , experimental evolution , evolutionary biology , insect , drosophila (subgenus) , population genetics , natural selection , resistance (ecology) , ecological genetics , genetics , gene , host (biology) , phylogenetics , toxicology , demography , sociology
Parasitoids are the most important natural enemies of many insect species. Larvae of many Drosophila species can defend themselves against attack by parasitoids through a cellular immune response called encapsulation. The paper reviews recent studies of the evolutionary biology and ecological genetics of resistance in Drosophila , concentrating on D. melanogaster . The physiological basis of encapsulation, and the genes known to interfere with resistance are briefly summarized. Evidence for within‐ and between‐population genetic variation in resistance from isofemale line, artificial selection and classical genetic studies are reviewed. There is now firm evidence that resistance is costly to Drosophila , and the nature of this cost is discussed, and the possibility that it may involve a reduction in metabolic rate considered. Comparative data on encapsulation and metabolic rates across seven Drosophila species provides support for this hypothesis. Finally, the possible population and community ecological consequences of evolution in the levels of host resistance are examined.