| Literature DB >> 15475336 |
Jens Rolff1, Michael T Siva-Jothy.
Abstract
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.Entities:
Mesh:
Substances:
Year: 2004 PMID: 15475336 PMCID: PMC1691840 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2004.2859
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Proc Biol Sci ISSN: 0962-8452 Impact factor: 5.349