A1 Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä lehdessä
Large males have fewer water mites (Arrenurus sp.) on the variable bluet (Coenagrion pulchellum) damselfly
Tekijät: Maria Hughes, Kari M. Kaunisto, Jukka Suhonen
Kustantaja: CANADIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING, NRC RESEARCH PRESS
Julkaisuvuosi: 2016
Journal: Canadian Journal of Zoology
Tietokannassa oleva lehden nimi: CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
Lehden akronyymi: CAN J ZOOL
Vuosikerta: 94
Numero: 5
Aloitussivu: 339
Lopetussivu: 343
Sivujen määrä: 5
ISSN: 0008-4301
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2015-0208
Tiivistelmä
Ectoparasitic water mites of the genus Arrenurus Duges, 1834 may affect damselflies in different ways, resulting in lower longevity and reproduction success. We studied the variation of water mite occurrence on the variable bluet (Coenagrion pulchellum (Vander Linden, 1823)) damselfly in relation to the host's sex, location, and wing length, as well as the amount of black pigment on the abdomens of males. In our study, we found that water mite prevalence and abundance were higher on females. Location of the populations did not affect the prevalence of water mites, nor did the colouring of males. The prevalence and abundance of water mites was lower on larger males than on smaller ones. Our results suggest that females are likely to have more water mites due to different behaviour and life-history strategies. According to our results, male body size is a sign of good condition and, thus, of sufficient resources available to be directed to strengthening their immune systems.
Ectoparasitic water mites of the genus Arrenurus Duges, 1834 may affect damselflies in different ways, resulting in lower longevity and reproduction success. We studied the variation of water mite occurrence on the variable bluet (Coenagrion pulchellum (Vander Linden, 1823)) damselfly in relation to the host's sex, location, and wing length, as well as the amount of black pigment on the abdomens of males. In our study, we found that water mite prevalence and abundance were higher on females. Location of the populations did not affect the prevalence of water mites, nor did the colouring of males. The prevalence and abundance of water mites was lower on larger males than on smaller ones. Our results suggest that females are likely to have more water mites due to different behaviour and life-history strategies. According to our results, male body size is a sign of good condition and, thus, of sufficient resources available to be directed to strengthening their immune systems.
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