Convergent patterns of body size variation in distinct parasite taxa with convergent life cycles

Abstract

AbstractAimInterspecific variation among metazoans often follows a latitudinal pattern, with species at higher latitudes being larger bodied than related species from lower latitudes (Bergmann's rule). For parasitic species, body sizes within any higher taxon are often correlated with the body sizes of their hosts (Harrison's rule). Whether temperature‐driven latitudinal effects or host‐driven resource constraints act independently or additively to shape interspecific variation in parasite body sizes remains unknown. We take a comparative approach to test the effects of latitude and host body size on parasite body sizes in two taxa of parasitic worms showing convergent life cycles.LocationGlobal.Time periodContemporary.Major taxa studiedHairworms (Nematomorpha) and mermithids (Nematoda) parasitic in arthropods.MethodsWith 223 records for mermithids and 258 for nematomorphs world‐wide, we used linear mixed effects models to test the effects of latitude and host body size on parasite length, intraspecific length variation, parasite egg diameter and variation in egg diameter. Furthermore, we modelled parasite length with local mean annual temperature as the predictor instead of latitude, as a direct test of underlying mechanisms. All models took into account host and parasite taxonomic structure within the datasets.ResultsFor both taxa, host body size was clearly the main determinant of parasite body length, with neither latitude nor local temperature (annual mean or range) having an effect. No predictor affected intraspecific length variation, whereas egg diameter was positively associated with parasite length, and variation in egg diameter was negatively associated with latitude.Main conclusionsOur results support a strong role for host traits in shaping the evolution of parasite body sizes (Harrison's rule), but no role for latitude (Bergmann's rule), although these parasites infect ectothermic hosts. At a mechanistic level, the evolutionary driving force of external temperature on parasite physiology seems to be eclipsed by the availability of resources from the host.