Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
09:24
Studying Inherited Immunity in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Microsporidia Infection
Published on: April 6, 2022
2.9K
Evolution of transgenerational immunity in invertebrates
R Pigeault1, R Garnier2, A Rivero3
1MIVEGEC (UMR CNRS 5290), Montpellier, France romain.pigeault@ird.fr.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|September 30, 2016
Summary
Transgenerational immunity in invertebrates, where offspring inherit immunity, is influenced by lifespan and dispersal. Longer-lived, less mobile invertebrates show higher immunity transfer, suggesting adaptive strategies.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Immunology
- Ecology
Background:
- Transgenerational immunity in invertebrates challenges previous notions of their immune system simplicity.
- The prevalence and evolutionary drivers of this trait in invertebrates are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ecological factors influencing the evolution of transgenerational immunity in invertebrates.
- To develop a theoretical model predicting conditions favoring transgenerational immunity.
- To review existing experimental evidence on invertebrate transgenerational immunity.
Main Methods:
- Development of a theoretical host-parasite model.
- Review of experimental studies on transgenerational immunity in 21 invertebrate species across nine orders.
Main Results:
- Theoretical model predicts that long lifespan and low dispersal promote transgenerational immunity.
- Experimental data confirm correlations between longevity, dispersal, and offspring immunity transfer.
- Plasticity in immunity investment may favor philopatric offspring due to local pathogen exposure.
Conclusions:
- Ecological factors like lifespan and dispersal significantly impact the evolution of transgenerational immunity in invertebrates.
- Further research is needed to test plasticity predictions in both invertebrates and vertebrates.
- Understanding transgenerational immune protection is crucial for host-parasite interaction studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Transduction
2.4K
Among the three main modes of HGT—transformation, conjugation, and transduction—transduction is unique in that it is mediated by bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses.Transduction occurs in two ways. Generalized transduction occurs during the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection. In this process, bacteriophages infect bacterial cells, replicate within them, and ultimately cause cell lysis, releasing newly assembled virions. Occasionally, random fragments of the bacterial genome...
2.4K
02:18Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms
31.6K
Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
31.6K
02:18Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms
6.7K
6.7K
01:23Immunological Memory
17.7K
Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...
17.7K
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
1.1K
The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
1.1K
02:32Exon Recombination
4.3K
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
4.3K