Size-dependent sex allocation in a simultaneous hermaphrodite parasite.
- Schärer L Abteilung Verhaltensökologie, Zoologisches Institut, Universität Bern, Hinterkappelen, SwitzerlandStereology Unit, Institute of Anatomy, Universität Bern, Bern, SwitzerlandInstitute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
- Karlsson LM Abteilung Verhaltensökologie, Zoologisches Institut, Universität Bern, Hinterkappelen, SwitzerlandStereology Unit, Institute of Anatomy, Universität Bern, Bern, SwitzerlandInstitute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
- Christen M Abteilung Verhaltensökologie, Zoologisches Institut, Universität Bern, Hinterkappelen, SwitzerlandStereology Unit, Institute of Anatomy, Universität Bern, Bern, SwitzerlandInstitute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
- Wedekind C Abteilung Verhaltensökologie, Zoologisches Institut, Universität Bern, Hinterkappelen, SwitzerlandStereology Unit, Institute of Anatomy, Universität Bern, Bern, SwitzerlandInstitute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
- 2017-12-28
Published in:
- Journal of evolutionary biology. - 2001
histology
local mate competition
local resource competition
parasite
selfing
sex allocation
simultaneous hermaphroditism
size-dependent sex allocation
stereology
time commitment hypothesis
English
Most models of sex allocation distinguish between sequential and simultaneous hermaphrodites, although an intermediate sexual pattern, size-dependent sex allocation, is widespread in plants. Here we investigated sex allocation in a simultaneous hermaphrodite animal, the tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus, in which adult size is highly variable. Sex allocation was determined using stereological techniques, which allow measuring somatic and reproductive tissues in a common currency, namely volume. We investigated the relationships between individual volume and allocation to different reproductive tissues using an allometric model. One measure of female allocation, yolk gland volume, increased more than proportionally with individual volume. This is in contrast to the measure of male allocation, testis volume, which showed a strong tendency to increase less than proportionally with individual volume. Together these patterns led to sex allocation being strongly related to individual volume, with large individuals being more biased towards female allocation. We discuss these findings in the light of current ideas about size-dependent sex allocation in, primarily, plants and try to extend them to simultaneous hermaphrodite animals.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- bronze
- Identifiers
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- DOI 10.1046/j.1420-9101.2001.00263.x
- PMID 29280579
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/247325
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