Experimental evolution demonstrates evolvability of preferential nutrient allocation to competing traits in response to chronic malnutrition.

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Ressource 1Download: Vijendravarma 2018 JEB Preprint.pdf (253.77 [Ko])
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Serval ID
serval:BIB_FCD7B02FCCA3
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Experimental evolution demonstrates evolvability of preferential nutrient allocation to competing traits in response to chronic malnutrition.
Journal
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Author(s)
Vijendravarma R.K.
ISSN
1420-9101 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1010-061X
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2018
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
31
Number
11
Pages
1743-1749
Language
english
Abstract
Investigating the evolutionary origins of disease vulnerability is an important aspect of evolutionary medicine that strongly complements our current understanding on proximate causes of disease. Life history trade-offs mediated through evolutionary changes in resource allocation strategies could be one possible explanation to why suboptimal traits that leave bodies vulnerable to disease exist. For example, Drosophila melanogaster populations experimentally evolved to tolerate chronic larval malnutrition succumb to intestinal infection despite eliciting a competent immune response, owing to the loss of their intestinal integrity. Here, I test if evolved changes in resource allocation underlies this trade-off, by assaying preferential allocation of dietary protein towards growth and tissue repair in the same populations. Using two phenotypic traits: regeneration of intestinal epithelium post-pathogenic infection and body weight, I show that in accordance to the dynamic energy budget theory (DEB) dietary protein acquired during the larval phase is allocated to both growth and adult tissue repair. Furthermore, by altering the ratio of protein and carbohydrates in the larval diets I demonstrate that in comparison to the control populations, the evolved (selected) populations differ in their protein allocation strategy towards these two traits. While the control populations stored away excess protein for tissue repair, the selected populations invested it towards immediate increase in body weight rather than towards an unanticipated tissue damage. Thus, I show how macronutrient availability and their allocation between traits can alter resistance, and provide empirical evidence that supports the 'mismatch hypothesis', wherein vulnerability to disease is proposed to stem from the differences between ancestral and current environment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Keywords
D. melanogaster, P:C ratios, geometric framework of nutrition, mismatch hypothesis, smurf
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
28/08/2018 11:49
Last modification date
20/08/2019 17:27
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