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Variación entre poecilidos del desierto en su susceptibilidad a ataques de parásitos exóticos
Author(s) -
Leberg Paul L.,
Vrijenhoek Robert C.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
conservation biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.2
H-Index - 222
eISSN - 1523-1739
pISSN - 0888-8892
DOI - 10.1046/j.1523-1739.1994.08020419.x
Subject(s) - biology , lineage (genetic) , population , poecilia , zoology , parasite hosting , genetic variation , ecology , evolutionary biology , genetics , gene , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , sociology , fishery , world wide web , computer science
Exposure of native species to novel disease organisms is a major threat posed by introduced exotic species. The genetic background of a native population should affect its response to an exotic disease. We evaluate the susceptibility of sexually and asexually reproducing lineages of fish (genus Poeciliopsis ) to infection by a novel trematode parasite ( Gyrodactylus turnbulli ). The parasite commonly infects guppies ( Poecilia reticulata ), which have obtained a worldwide distribution as a consequence of their value in the pet trade. We examined two sexual species and two related clonal (nonrecombinant) lineages of Poeciliopsis that coexist naturally in Sonora, Mexico. One sexual species ( P. monacha ) and one clone ( ML/VIII ) were completely refractory to infection by G. turnbulli . The other sexual species ( P. lucida ) was relatively resistant. The second clone ( ML/VII ) was susceptible, however, and infections led to increased mortality. Chance fixations of alleles that occurred during the hybrid origins of these clonal lineages probably were responsible for the differences in susceptibility between lineages. Lack of heritable genetic diversity within a clonal lineage would hamper its ability to quickly evolve a suitable response to an exotic parasite and would make it particularly vulnerable to extinction.