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Host reproduction and a sexually transmitted disease: causes and consequences of Coccipolipus hippodamiae distribution on coccinellid beetles

  1. K. Mary Webberley1,*,
  2. Gregory D. D. Hurst1,
  3. Robert W. Husband2,
  4. J. Hinrich G. V. D. Schulenburg3,
  5. John J. Sloggett4,
  6. Valerie Isham5,
  7. Jaraslow Buszko6,
  8. Michael E. N. Majerus7

Article first published online: 6 JAN 2004

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2004.00769.x

Issue

Journal of Animal Ecology

Journal of Animal Ecology

Volume 73, Issue 1, pages 1–10, January 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Webberley, K. M., Hurst, G. D. D., Husband, R. W., Schulenburg, J. H. G. V. D., Sloggett, J. J., Isham, V., Buszko, J. and Majerus, M. E. N. (2004), Host reproduction and a sexually transmitted disease: causes and consequences of Coccipolipus hippodamiae distribution on coccinellid beetles. Journal of Animal Ecology, 73: 1–10. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2004.00769.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Biology, University College London, 4 Stephenson Way, London, NW1 2HE, UK;

  2. 2

    Biology Department, Adrian College, 110 S. Madison St, Adrian, Michigan, MI 49221, USA;

  3. 3

    Department of Evolutionary Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Hüfferstr. 1, D-48149 Münster, Germany;

  4. 4

    Department of Animal Ecology I, Universität Bayreuth, PO Box 101251, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany;

  5. 5

    Department of Statistical Science, University College London, Gower St, London, WC1E 6BT, UK;

  6. 6

    Department of Animal Ecology, Institute of Biology, Nicholas Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland; and

  7. 7

    Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK

* K. Mary Webberley, Department of Biology, 4 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HE, UK. E-mail: maryw@bigpond.net.au

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 JAN 2004
  2. Article first published online: 6 JAN 2004
  3. Received 10 February 2003; revision received 15 May 2003

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Keywords:

  • Adalia bipunctata;
  • podapolipid mite;
  • sexually transmitted parasite;
  • virulence

Summary

  • 1
    We know that sexually transmitted parasites and pathogens have extremely deleterious effects in human and domesticated animal populations, but know little of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in natural populations.
  • 2
    One previously reported natural system is the sexually transmitted mite, Coccipolipus hippodamiae, on the eastern European coccinellid, Adalia bipunctata. Our aims were to determine how widespread this parasite is in terms of incidence and prevalence across host species, to identify the causes of the prevalence pattern and whether the parasite reduces fertility in all host species.
  • 3
    Coccipolipus hippodamiae was present on four of 19 European species examined. The wide distribution and high prevalence of C. hippodamiae on A. bipunctata indicates that this is the major host. The mite was also present at substantial prevalence on Adalia decempunctata and at lower prevalence on Synharmonia (=Oenopia) conglobata and Calvia quatuordecimguttata.
  • 4
    Laboratory studies on mite development time and transmission efficiency revealed that although physiological factors may affect incidence, they do not explain prevalence variation between hosts, but characteristics of host life history and reproductive behaviour are important in this context. Adalia bipunctata is more promiscuous than the less commonly infected A. decempunctata and S. conglobata. Diapause is needed before breeding will occur in C. quatuordecimguttata, leading to a lack of the consistent sexual activity between generations, which is needed for STD maintenance. Calvia quatuordecimguttata is probably periodically reinfected through hybrid matings with other host species.
  • 5
    Coccipolipus hippodamiae infection has similar strong deleterious effects on female reproduction in A. decempunctata and S. conglobata as have previously been demonstrated in A. bipunctata.
  • 6
    The results indicate that STDs may play a profound role in the ecology of promiscuous insect populations with overlapping generations. Here they may reach significant prevalence whilst exhibiting extreme virulence.
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