SEMINARIOS MNCN

Viernes 30 de marzo 2012, 12:05 a 13h.
Salón de Actos. MNCN

This lecture will be held in English.

Speaker: Heinz Richner, University of Bern (Switzerland)

Exposure to ectoparasites during growth and development can permanently modify the morphological, physiological and behavioral phenotype of individuals and entail fitness consequences throughout adult life. Mothers may alleviate the impact of ectoparasites employing strategies that can counteract these developmental impairments, for example by the allocation of antioxidants, hormones and immunoglobulins. Such maternal effects can be targeted directly at the parasite to limit host exploitation and parasite reproductive success, or else compensate for the parasite-imposed damage on offspring. Furthermore, a parasite-induced change in the allocation of maternal substances can entail trade-offs both for mothers and offspring.

Experimental field studies on the great tit and its ectoparasites will be used to illustrate the maternal options, strategies and trade-offs.

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