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The role of male disease susceptibility in the evolution of haplodiploid insect societies
Journal article   Open access

The role of male disease susceptibility in the evolution of haplodiploid insect societies

Sean O'Donnell and Samuel N Beshers
Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences, v 271(1542), pp 979-983
07 May 2004
PMID: 15255054
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/1691683View

Abstract

Biological Evolution Haploidy Diploidy Animals Disease Susceptibility - parasitology Insecta - parasitology Models, Biological Social Behavior Sex Factors Insecta - physiology Male
Heterozygosity at loci affecting resistance against parasites can benefit host fitness. We predict that, in haplodiploid species, haploid males will suffer decreased parasite resistance relative to diploid females. We suggest that elevated susceptibility in haploid males has shaped the evolution of social behaviour in haplodiploid species. Male susceptibility will select for behavioural adaptations that limit males' exposure to pathogens and that limit male transmission of pathogens within and between colonies. The relatedness-asymmetry hypothesis that has been advanced to explain female-only workers does not make these predictions. We review the relevant evidence for genetic effects on parasite resistance in insects and summarize empirical evidence that relates to the haploid-susceptibility hypothesis.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#15 Life on Land

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Biology
Ecology
Evolutionary Biology
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