Parasitic castration is an adaptive strategy where parasites usurp the hosts’
reproductive physiology to complete their life cycle. The alterations in the host traits
vary in their magnitude, from subtle changes in the host morpho-physiology and
behaviour to the production of complex aberrant phenotypes, which often depend on
the host gender. The strepsipteran macroparasite Xenos vesparum induces dramatic
behavioural and physiological changes in its female host, the paper wasp Polistes
dominula, while its effect on the male phenotype is largely unknown.
In this study we investigated how a single X. vesparum parasite influences the
functional morphology of P. dominula male reproductive apparatus. We performed
morphometry and ultrastructure characterization of corpora allata, testes, seminal
vesicles and accessory glands in parasitized and unparasitized males, and also in
young and old males to control for the effect of age on the natural deterioration of
these organs. Our results show that age significantly affects the development of male
reproductive apparatus. A low parasite load – one parasite per host is the common
prevalence in the field – has only a marginal impact on the reproductive morphology
of P. dominula males, affecting quantitatively but not qualitatively the protein
content of male accessory glands. Thus, in male P. dominula wasps, X. vesparum
appears to behave as a true “parasite”, in clear opposition to the role of “parasitoid”
that it takes in female hosts where castration causes the reproductive death
Is data on this page outdated, violates copyrights or anything else? Report the problem now and we will take corresponding actions after reviewing your request.