Infestation experience of a rodent host and offspring viability of fleas: variation among host-parasite associations.

摘要: We studied survival and development of preimagoes the ability to withstand starvation adults in two flea species, host-specific Parapulex chephrenis host-opportunistic Xenopsylla ramesis, when parent fleas fed on a typical (Acomys cahirinus Dipodillus dasyurus, respectively) or an atypical (D. dasyurus A. cahirinus, rodent host that either had never been parasitized by (pristine) previously exposed fleas. asked whether repeatedly infested acquired resistance would cause decreased viability next generation Survival preimaginal P. was similar, independent species its infestation status. Preimaginal X. ramesis higher rate their parents preinfested than pristine hosts, whereas no effect status found. developed faster if hosts species. but difference duration found for hosts. Under starvation, lived longer lifespan did not depend The latter also true both conclude is constrained cope with parasite, parasite able defence responses host.