Description
Host-pathogen interactions are an important aspect of biodiversity in ecosystems but the rapid changes of climate change has challenged organisms to adapt quickly. In my research, I investigated how nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) affects the reproduction of the Dione vanillae, on drought-stressed Passiflora caerulea to mimic changes in their environment. NPV infects individuals at larval stage, when larvae consumes NPV on contaminated P. caerulea leaves. Larvae raised in a lab were selected for a diet of high water or drought-stressed plants, then infected with one of four virus doses. Surviving pupa mated within their treatment groups once emerged as butterflies were successful if eggs were laid. We found that in the absence of the virus, there was no difference in female mating success for both water treatments. However, in the presence of the virus, female butterflies raised on drought-stressed plants had higher mating success (logistic regression, virus by water treatment interaction effect= 19.58, LR= 4.72, p=0.03), negatively influences population growth of butterflies through increases in larvae mortality and butterflies that survive exposure see an increase in fitness.With the data collected, we will understand the interactions between species which can ultimately show the effects of climate change.
Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) Effects on Mating Success of Dione vanillae Butterflies
Host-pathogen interactions are an important aspect of biodiversity in ecosystems but the rapid changes of climate change has challenged organisms to adapt quickly. In my research, I investigated how nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) affects the reproduction of the Dione vanillae, on drought-stressed Passiflora caerulea to mimic changes in their environment. NPV infects individuals at larval stage, when larvae consumes NPV on contaminated P. caerulea leaves. Larvae raised in a lab were selected for a diet of high water or drought-stressed plants, then infected with one of four virus doses. Surviving pupa mated within their treatment groups once emerged as butterflies were successful if eggs were laid. We found that in the absence of the virus, there was no difference in female mating success for both water treatments. However, in the presence of the virus, female butterflies raised on drought-stressed plants had higher mating success (logistic regression, virus by water treatment interaction effect= 19.58, LR= 4.72, p=0.03), negatively influences population growth of butterflies through increases in larvae mortality and butterflies that survive exposure see an increase in fitness.With the data collected, we will understand the interactions between species which can ultimately show the effects of climate change.
Comments
Faculty Mentors: Wilnelia Recart Gonzalez; Arietta Fleming-Davies