Coping with multiple enemies - the evolution of resistance and host-parasitoid community structure

Fellowes, M. D. E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5431-8637 and Kraaijeveld, A. R. (1998) Coping with multiple enemies - the evolution of resistance and host-parasitoid community structure. Ecology Letters, 1 (1). pp. 8-10. ISSN 1461-023X

Abstract/Summary

Recent work has shown that the evolution of Drosophila melanogaster resistance to attack by the parasitoid Asobara tabida is constrained by a trade-off with larval competitive ability. However, there are two very important questions that need to be answered. First, is this a general cost, or is it parasitoid specific? Second, does a selected increase in immune response against one parasitoid species result in a correlated change in resistance to other parasitoid species? The answers to both questions will influence the coevolutionary dynamics of these species, and also may have a previously unconsidered, yet important, influence on community structure.