STDs may be important in the evolution of host reproduction and mating behavior. This study focuses on a sexually transmitted nematode in the decorated cricket, Gryllodes sigillatus. Since this parasite is sexually transmitted, the parasite transmission success depends on host mating success. STD transmission rates should increase if the parasite could induce sterility while increasing host sexual activity, resulting in repeated attempts at mating. Here, we assess the affect of the parasite on spermatophore production and its subsequent affect on time of latency to re-mate by female crickets. Results show that parasitism in males does have an adverse affect on male spermatophylax production. Infected males produced significantly smaller spermatophylax than uninfected males. However, the spermatophylax replacement rate did not differ significantly between infected and uninfected males. Since the nematode decreases a male cricket’s ability to produce a sufficiently large or nutritious spermatophylax, his mate may need to copulate with additional males, thereby increasing the rate of nematode transmission. The nematode’s potential for affecting host mating behavior may be an indirect consequence of parasite-induced pathology or a direct result of parasite manipulation.
Species 1: Orthoptera Gryllidae Gryllodes sigillatus (Indian House Cricket, Decorated Cricket)
Keywords: nematode, sexual transmission
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