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Are schistosomes socially and genetically monogamous?
Sophie Beltran1, Jérôme Boissier
1Laboratoire de Biologie et d'Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerranéenne, UMR 5244 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France. sophie.beltran@univ-perp.fr
Parasitology Research
|October 24, 2008
Summary
In a study of monogamous invertebrates, researchers found that schistosomes, despite being socially monogamous, are not genetically monogamous. This means offspring can result from multiple partners, challenging assumptions about mating systems.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Parasitology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Monogamy describes mating systems with one male and one female pair.
- Social monogamy does not always equate to sexual exclusivity or genetic monogamy.
- Genetic monogamy, where offspring arise solely from a single pair, is rare in animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mating system of schistosomes, a socially monogamous endoparasite.
- To determine if mate changes in schistosomes result in offspring production.
- To assess the genetic monogamy status of schistosomes, considering female sperm storage capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Observational studies on schistosome mating behavior.
- Analysis of offspring production following observed mate changes.
- Consideration of female reproductive anatomy, including the receptaculum seminis.
Main Results:
- The study provides the first evidence of rapid offspring production after mate changes in a monogamous invertebrate.
- Schistosomes exhibit social monogamy, with females residing within the male's gynecophoric canal.
- Despite the female schistosome's capacity for sperm storage, genetic monogamy was not confirmed.
Conclusions:
- Schistosomes are socially monogamous but not genetically monogamous.
- Mate changes can lead to successful reproduction in schistosomes, challenging the notion of strict genetic monogamy in this species.
- The findings highlight the complexity of mating systems, even in seemingly monogamous species.
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