ISSN:
1432-1939
Keywords:
Ectoparasitism
;
Fluctuating asymmetry
;
Odonata
;
Short-term impact
;
Wing
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The influence of ectoparasitic water mite larvae (Arrenurus) on the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of forewing length and cell number in the foreweings of the damselfly Coenagrion puella has been investigated. We show a significant correlation between the FA of forewing length and the mite load. Most explanations for increases in FA implicate environmental stress combined with the inability of the genome to stabilize the phenotype. In contrast, our results demonstrate that FA could be the result of a very short-term impact during ontogenesis, due to chance parasitism.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00329031
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