A Gene for an Extended Phenotype
- Kelli Hoover1,*,†,
- Michael Grove1,*,
- Matthew Gardner1,2,
- David P. Hughes1,3,4,
- James McNeil1,
- James Slavicek5
- 1Department of Entomology and Center for Chemical Ecology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
- 2Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Armenise Building, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
- 3Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
- 4Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
- 5U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 359 Main Road, Delaware, OH 43015, USA.
- ↵†To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: kxh25{at}psu.edu
-
↵* These authors contributed equally to the work.
Abstract
Manipulation of host behavior by parasites and pathogens has been widely observed, but the basis for these behaviors has remained elusive. Gypsy moths infected by a baculovirus climb to the top of trees to die, liquefy, and “rain” virus on the foliage below to infect new hosts. The viral gene that manipulates climbing behavior of the host was identified, providing evidence of a genetic basis for the extended phenotype.
- Received for publication 1 June 2011.
- Accepted for publication 25 July 2011.
