Surrounding pathogens shape maternal egg care but not egg production in the European earwig

Janina M C Diehl, Joël Meunier and Luke Holman Dr.Handling Editor

Behavioral Ecology, 2018, vol. 29, issue 1, 128-136

Abstract: Earwig mothers increase egg care when pathogens are present in the nest, but do not adapt the quantity and quality of their eggs accordingly. Our results confirm that parents can both detect the presence of microbial pathogens in their nesting area and develop pre-hatching behavioral strategies to reduce the associated risk of pathogen infection. These findings overall emphasize the central importance of pathogens in the evolution of parental care in animals.Twitter: @JMeunierEarwig

Keywords: dermaptera; insects; parental care; social immunity; subsocial (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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