Male Killing Bacteria and Dispersal in Insects
Author Information
Author(s): Bonte Dries, Hovestadt Thomas, Poethke Hans-Joachim
Primary Institution: University of Würzburg
Hypothesis
Under which environmental conditions does strong sex-biased dispersal emerge in metapopulations infected by male killing endosymbionts?
Conclusion
Male killing endosymbionts induce the evolution of sex-specific dispersal, particularly male-biased dispersal, which helps metapopulations avoid extinction.
Supporting Evidence
- Male-biased dispersal emerges under low environmental stochasticity and high dispersal mortality.
- Kin-competition is a major driver of the evolutionary pattern observed.
- The evolution of sex-specific dispersal can rescue metapopulations from extinction.
Takeaway
Some bacteria can kill male insects, which makes the surviving females spread out more. This helps the population survive better.
Methodology
The study used an individual-based simulation model to analyze dispersal strategies in metapopulations with male-killing endosymbionts.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the assumptions made in the simulation model regarding mating systems and dispersal strategies.
Limitations
The model does not account for the evolution of host resistance to the endosymbionts.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on arthropod populations, specifically those infected by male-killing endosymbionts.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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