Rolff Jens, Siva-Jothy Michael T
Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
Proc Biol Sci. 2004 Oct 22;271(1553):2157-60. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2004.2859.
The strength of selection on immune function in wild populations has only been examined in a few vertebrate species. We report the results from a study measuring selection on a key insect immune enzyme, phenoloxidase (PO), in a wild population of the damselfly Calopteryx xanthostoma. We followed individually marked males from the pre-reproductive adult phase and recorded their lifetime mating success. We found positive selection on PO activity in response to an immune insult, but no selection on wing-spot quality, a trait actively displayed to females during courtship. We suggest that positive selection on PO activity in the year of study may be explained by annual fluctuations in parasite loads.
对野生种群免疫功能的选择强度仅在少数脊椎动物物种中进行过研究。我们报告了一项研究的结果,该研究测量了对豆娘Calopteryx xanthostoma野生种群中一种关键昆虫免疫酶——酚氧化酶(PO)的选择。我们追踪了从生殖前成年期开始单独标记的雄性个体,并记录了它们一生的交配成功率。我们发现,在受到免疫攻击时,对PO活性存在正选择,但对翅斑质量没有选择,翅斑质量是求偶期间向雌性主动展示的一个性状。我们认为,在研究当年对PO活性的正选择可能是由寄生虫负荷的年度波动所解释的。