Open AccessFew parasites, and no evidence for Wolbachia infections, in a freshwater ostracod inhabiting temporary ponds
Author(s) -
BRUVO RUŽA,
ADOLFSSON SOFIA,
SYMONOVA RADKA,
LAMATSCH DUNJA K.,
SCHÖN ISA,
JOKELA JUKKA,
BUTLIN ROGER K.,
MÜLLER STEFAN
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
biological journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.906
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1095-8312
pISSN - 0024-4066
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2010.01556.x
Subject(s) - biology , wolbachia , parthenogenesis , sexual reproduction , host (biology) , ecology , asexual reproduction , zoology , ostracod , freshwater snail , parasite hosting , parasitism , snail , genetics , embryo , world wide web , computer science
Biological systems with asexual reproduction have often attracted research on parasites and host immune defence, because parasites are expected to be better able to exploit genetically less diverse populations. In addition, maternally inherited parasitic microorganisms such as Wolbachia can directly alter the reproductive systems of their hosts and induce parthenogenesis. 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. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2011, 102 , 207–216.