Fit for fertilization: mating in malaria parasites

Ranford-Cartwright, L.C. (1995) Fit for fertilization: mating in malaria parasites. Parasitology Today, 11(4), pp. 154-157. (doi: 10.1016/0169-4758(95)80138-3)

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Abstract

The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has an obligate sexual phase in its life cycle. Male and female gametes must mate in the mosquito midgut for transmission to occur. When mosquitoes ingest a mixture of two parasite clones, the inheritance of nuclear genes suggests that mating between gametes is random. Both cross-fertilization (between unlike male and female gametes) and selfing occur. However, it has been suggested that the inheritance of mitochondrial markers indicates non-random mating. An alternative hypothesis, which is presented here by Lisa Ranford-Cartwright, is that mating is random, but differences in the relative fitnesses of the gametocytes can explain the inheritance patterns observed.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ranford-Cartwright, Dr Lisa
Authors: Ranford-Cartwright, L.C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Parasitology Today
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0169-4758
ISSN (Online):1873-1473

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