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Parasitic exploitation as an engine of diversity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 November 2003

KYLE SUMMERS
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA (e-mail: [email protected])
SEA McKEON
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA (e-mail: [email protected])
JON SELLARS
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA (e-mail: [email protected])
MARK KEUSENKOTHEN
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA (e-mail: [email protected])
JAMES MORRIS
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA (e-mail: [email protected])
DAVID GLOECKNER
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA (e-mail: [email protected])
COREY PRESSLEY
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA (e-mail: [email protected])
BLAKE PRICE
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA (e-mail: [email protected])
HOLLY SNOW
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA (e-mail: [email protected])
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Abstract

Parasitic exploitation occurs within and between a wide variety of taxa in a plethora of diverse contexts. Theoretical and empirical analyses indicate that parasitic exploitation can generate substantial genetic and phenotypic polymorphism within species. Under some circumstances, parasitic exploitation may also be an important factor causing reproductive isolation and promoting speciation. Here we review research relevant to the relationship between parasitic exploitation, within species-polymorphism, and speciation in some of the major arenas in which such exploitation has been studied. This includes research on the vertebrate major histocompatibility loci, plant–pathogen interactions, the evolution of sexual reproduction, intragenomic conflict, sexual conflict, kin mimicry and social parasitism, tropical forest diversity and the evolution of language. We conclude by discussing some of the issues raised by comparing the effect of parasitic exploitation on polymorphism and speciation in different contexts.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Cambridge Philosophical Society 2003

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