| Evidence for trans-generational medication in nature. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21040353 Owner: NLM Status: In-Process |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Parasites pose a serious threat to host fitness, and natural selection should favour host traits that reduce infection or disease symptoms. Here, we provide the first evidence of trans-generational medication, in which animals actively use medicine to mitigate disease in their offspring. We studied monarch butterflies and their virulent protozoan parasites, and found that neither caterpillars nor adult butterflies could cure themselves of disease. Instead, adult butterflies preferentially laid their eggs on toxic plants that reduced parasite growth and disease in their offspring caterpillars. It has often been suggested that sick animals may use medication to cure themselves of disease, but evidence for the use of medication in nature has so far been scarce. Our results provide evidence that infected animals may indeed use medicine as a defence against parasites, and that such medication may target an individual's offspring rather than the individual itself. |
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Authors:
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Thierry Lefèvre; Lindsay Oliver; Mark D Hunter; Jacobus C De Roode |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Letter; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Date: 2010-10-07 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Ecology letters Volume: 13 ISSN: 1461-0248 ISO Abbreviation: Ecol. Lett. Publication Date: 2010 Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-11-18 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101121949 Medline TA: Ecol Lett Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1485-93 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd/CNRS. |
Affiliation:
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Biology Department, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. telefev@emory.edu |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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