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Parasites increase fluctuating asymmetry of male Drosophila nigrospiracula: implications for sexual selection

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Developmental Instability: Its Origins and Evolutionary Implications

Part of the book series: Contemporary Issues in Genetics and Evolution ((CIGE,volume 2))

Abstract

Fluctuating asymmetry (minor deviations from perfect bilateral symmetry) is manifested by individuals less able to buffer environmental stress during development. I utilized a system of two naturally-occurring parasites of Drosophila nigrospiracula to test whether parasitic infection during host development yields elevated degrees of fluctuating asymmetry in two morphological traits of males. This hypothesis has important implications for sexual selection, as it may explain why asymmetric males are often found to be sexually disadvantaged. In my system, nematodes infect larvae and therefore are more likely to disrupt development than mites which only parasitize adult flies. As predicted, nematode-infected male D. nigrospiracula had a higher degree of bristle asymmetry than did mite-infested and control (carrying neither parasite) males. There was also a significant relation between nematode number and degree of asymmetry. There was a significant negative relation between nematode load and size of adult males, implicating a causal link between nutritional stress during host development and fluctuating asymmetry. Patterns of wing length asymmetry were inconsistent with those of bristle asymmetry. Nematode-infected males did not differ in wing length asymmetry relative to mite-infested and control males, nor was there a significant relation between nematode number and wing asymmetry. This inconsistency in expression of asymmetry may reflect different intensities of selection operating on each morphological trait.

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  1. Department of Zoology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-1501, USA

    Michael Polak

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Therese Ann Markow

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Polak, M. (1994). Parasites increase fluctuating asymmetry of male Drosophila nigrospiracula: implications for sexual selection. In: Markow, T.A. (eds) Developmental Instability: Its Origins and Evolutionary Implications. Contemporary Issues in Genetics and Evolution, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0830-0_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0830-0_20

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