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Size-dependent sex allocation in a simultaneous hermaphrodite parasite

Schärer, Lukas and Karlsson, Lars M. and Christen, Mira and Wedekind, Claus. (2001) Size-dependent sex allocation in a simultaneous hermaphrodite parasite. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 14 (1). pp. 55-67.

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Abstract

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.
Faculties and Departments:05 Faculty of Science > Departement Umweltwissenschaften > Integrative Biologie > Evolutionary Biology (Schärer)
UniBasel Contributors:Schärer, Lukas
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Blackwell
ISSN:1010-061X
e-ISSN:1420-9101
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Language:English
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Last Modified:05 Oct 2017 05:49
Deposited On:22 Mar 2012 14:04

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