J 2002

Morphology and coexistence of congeneric ectoparasite species:reinforcement of reproductive isolation?

ŠIMKOVÁ, Andrea, Markéta ONDRAČKOVÁ, Milan GELNAR and Serge MORAND

Basic information

Original name

Morphology and coexistence of congeneric ectoparasite species:reinforcement of reproductive isolation?

Authors

ŠIMKOVÁ, Andrea (203 Czech Republic, guarantor), Markéta ONDRAČKOVÁ (203 Czech Republic), Milan GELNAR (203 Czech Republic) and Serge MORAND (250 France)

Edition

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2002, 0024-4066

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

10600 1.6 Biological sciences

Country of publisher

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Impact factor

Impact factor: 1.705

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14310/02:00007857

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

UT WoS

000175718400011

Keywords in English

competition; host specificity; morphometric distances; niche segregation; reproductive barriers; reinforcement

Tags

Změněno: 30/5/2003 13:34, prof. RNDr. Milan Gelnar, CSc.

Abstract

V originále

Several hypotheses to explain morphological differences among congeneric parasite species were tested, assuming that differences or similarities in morphology among congeners living in the same habitat are not a random pattern. These hypotheses were (1) reproductive isolation, (2) niche restriction due to competition, and (3) niche specialisation. Congeneric monogenean (platyhelminth) ectoparasites parasitising the gills of one host species were used as an ecological model. Morphometric distances of the attachment organ and morphometric distances of the copulatory organ between species pairs were used. Levins niche size and Renkonen niche overlap indices were calculated. Our results support the prediction that niche segregation has the function to achieve reproductive isolation of related species in order to prevent hybridisation (reinforcement of reproductive barriers). Parasite species living in the same niche greatly differ in the size of the copulatory organ. Moreover, species coexistence is facilitated by an increase in morphometric distances of copulatory organ and niche centres distances. Our results also show that species living in overlapping niches have similar attachment organs which supports the prediction that morphologically similar species have the same ecological requirements within one host and suggests small effects of interspecific competition for the evolution of morphological diversity of attachment organs. Specialist adaptations also seem to facilitate species coexistence and affect the niche distribution within host species. Parasite species that can colonise more than one host species, i.e. generalists, occupy more distant niches within host species than strictly host specific parasites.

Links

MSM 143100010, plan (intention)
Name: Časoprostorová dynamika biodiverzity v ekosystémech střední Evropy.
Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR, Spatiotemporal biodiversity dynamics in ecosystems of Central Europe