An Examination of Possible Maternal Effects due to Parasite and Density Stress on the Mealworm Beetle, Tenebrio molitor

• Main Author: Bennell, Maria C.
• Other Authors: Baker, Robert L.
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Host-parasite interactions; Maternal effects; Life history trade-offs; Invertebrates; Tenebrio molitor; 0329; 0718
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/30180

Few empirical studies examine the influence that the maternal parasite environment can have on offspring fitness (maternal effects) in invertebrates. Several recent studies have found that mothers can adjust offspring phenotype to counter the negative effects of parasite infection. In this thesis I subjected the parental generation of the host species, Tenebrio molitor (Insecta: Coleoptera), to a high parasite, high density, or control treatment. Offspring were subsequently subjected to either the same stress, the alternate stress, or to the control, and fitness-related life history traits were measured in both generations. The results from this thesis do not support the hypothesis that T. molitor mothers influence offspring fitness in a positive way. Instead, maternal effects led to a reduction in offspring fitness under both types of stress. At least under some environmental conditions, females invest in their fitness at the expense of their offspring.