Background:
Colour polymorphisms are widespread and one of the prime examples is the colour
polymorphism in female coenagrionid damselflies: one female morph resembles the male colour
(andromorph) while one, or more, female morphs are described as typically female (gynomorph).
However, the selective pressures leading to the evolution and maintenance of this polymorphism
are not clear. Here, based on the hypothesis that coloration and especially black patterning can be
related to resistance against pathogens, we investigated the differences in immune function and
parasite resistance between the different female morphs and males.
Results:
Our studies of immune function revealed no differences in immune function between the
female morphs but between the sexes in adult damselflies. In an experimental infection females
infected shortly after emergence showed a higher resistance against a fungal pathogen than males,
however female morphs did not differ in resistance. In a field sample of adult damselflies we did not
find differences in infection rates with watermites and gregarines.
Conclusion:
With respect to resistance and immune function 'andromorph' blue females of
Coenagrion puella do not resemble the males. Therefore the colour polymorphism in coenagrionid
damselflies is unlikely to be maintained by differences in immunity
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