EVOLUTION OF VIRULENCE IN A NEMATODE- FIG WASP RELATIONSHIP
OVERVIEW The Wasp-Nematode-Fig Relationship Vertical vs. Horizontal Transmission Population Structure in Fig Wasps and the Evolution of Virulence in Nematodes
Fig wasp – nematode – fig relationship Mutualistic relationship between fig wasps and figs Nematodes basically mimic the life cycle of female fig wasps
THE WASP AND FIG
VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL TRANSMISSION 11 different populations of fig wasps Female foundress broods (single vs. multiple) Single foundress broods allow for Vertical Transmission Multiple foundress broods allow for Horizontal Transmission A continuum for the proportion of single foundress broods was mesured in the 11 populations
MEASURING VIRULENCE Definition of virulence is the lifetime reproductive success of the fig wasp Study measures virulence by taking the number of broods in infected compared to the number of broods in uninfected single foundress female fig wasps It then compares this number to the proportion of single foundress females
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The