Cuckoos versus hosts in insects and birds: adaptations, counter-adaptations and outcomes
Date
2011
Authors
Kilner, Rebecca
Langmore, Naomi
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Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Abstract
Avian parents and social insect colonies are victimized by interspecific brood parasites-cheats that procure costly care for their dependent offspring by leaving them in another species' nursery. Birds and insects defend themselves from attack by brood parasites; their defences in turn select counter-strategies in the parasite, thus setting in motion antagonistic co-evolution between the two parties. Despite their considerable taxonomic disparity, here we show striking parallels in the way that co-evolution between brood parasites and their hosts proceeds in insects and birds. First, we identify five types of co-evolutionary arms race from the empirical literature, which are common to both systems. These are: (a) directional co-evolution of weaponry and armoury; (b) furtiveness in the parasite countered by strategies in the host to expose the parasite;
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Keywords
Keywords: adaptation; animal; animal behavior; bird; evolution; genetics; host parasite interaction; insect; parasitology; physiology; review; Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Biological Evolution; Birds; Host-Parasite Interactions; Insects; Av Arms race; Chemical insignificance; Co-evolution; Cowbird; Hydrocarbon; Polistes; Recognition system; Slave-making ant; Social parasite; Virulence
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Source
Biological Reviews
Type
Journal article
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Restricted until
2037-12-31
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