Superparasitism: a non-adaptive strategy?

Although once thought to be detrimental, superparasitism (where a host is parasitized more than once) by solitary parasitoids is now accepted to be an adaptive strategy. However, a recent study reveals that this might not always be the case. Varaldi et al. show that the superparasitism behaviour of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inTrends in ecology & evolution (Amsterdam) Vol. 19; no. 7; pp. 347 - 348
Main Authors Tracy Reynolds, K, Hardy, Ian C.W
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2004
Elsevier
Subjects
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Biological evolution
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution
Cynipidae
Leptopilina boulardi
Parasitoid
Arthropoda
Insecta
Biological evolution
Strategy
Host
Hymenoptera
Invertebrata
Superparasitism
Adaptation
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Summary:Although once thought to be detrimental, superparasitism (where a host is parasitized more than once) by solitary parasitoids is now accepted to be an adaptive strategy. However, a recent study reveals that this might not always be the case. Varaldi et al. show that the superparasitism behaviour of the wasp Leptopilina boulardi is caused by a vertically and horizontally transmitted infectious agent. A reinterpretation of the adaptive significance of superparasitism in this species might therefore be required.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:0169-5347
1872-8383
DOI:10.1016/j.tree.2004.03.021