DOI: 10.5061/dryad.43vh49k
title: Data from: Host defense triggers rapid adaptive radiation in experimentally evolving parasites

description: Adaptive radiation occurs when the members of a single lineage evolve
 different adaptive forms in response to selection imposed by competitors
 or predators. Iconic examples include Darwin’s finches, Caribbean anoles,
 and Hawaiian silverswords, all of which live on islands. Although adaptive
 radiation is thought to be an important generator of biodiversity, most
 studies concern groups that have already diversified. Here we take the
 opposite approach. We experimentally triggered diversification in the
 descendants of a single population of host-specific parasites confined to
 different host “islands”. We show rapid adaptive divergence of
 experimentally evolving feather lice in response to preening, which is a
 bird's main defense against ectoparasites. We demonstrate that host
 defense exerts strong phenotypic selection for crypsis in lice transferred
 to different colored rock pigeons (Columba livia). During four years of
 experimental evolution (~60 generations), the lice evolved heritable
 differences in color. Strikingly, the observed color differences spanned
 the range of phenotypes found among congeneric lice adapted to other
 species of birds. To our knowledge, this is the first real time
 demonstration that microevolution is fast enough to simulate millions of
 years of macroevolutionary change. Our results further indicate that
 host-mediated selection triggers rapid divergence in the adaptive
 radiation of parasites, which are among the most diverse organisms on
 Earth.
description: Luminosity data for
 feather lice (Columbicola columbae) in an experimental evolution study
 lasting 48 monthsLuminosity data for
 feather lice (Columbicola columbae) in an experimental evolution study
 lasting 48 months. Luminosity data at Time 0 are from a random sample of
 lice drawn from the starting population. Luminosity data for the rest of
 the experiment (Time 6 mo. - Time 48 mo.) are for lice sampled from 96
 individual birds (labelled as "lineages"): 32 grey control feral
 pigeons, 32 white pigeons, and 32 black pigeons. Within each of these
 color treatments half of these birds had their preening impaired, and the
 other half could preen normally. Within each color x preening treatment
 the 16 birds were housed in 4 aviaries (4 birds per aviary). See Fig.
 3A&B, and Tables A1-A4 of associated paper.Crypsis_Dryad_ExEvol.xlsxLuminosity data for feather lice (Columbicola columbae) in a common garden experiment.Luminosity data for feather lice (Columbicola columbae) in a common garden experiment. To test whether preening-induced changes in the color of lice were heritable, lice sampled at 24 months from a long-term experimental evolution (P1s) were placed in common garden conditions and the luminosity of these lice were compared with the luminosity of their offspring (F1s). See Fig. 3D of associated paper.Crypsis_Dryad_Common Garden.xlsxLuminosity of plumage from different colored pigeons.Luminosity of plumage from different colored pigeons (Columba livia). See Fig. 3C of associated paper.Crypsis_Dryad_Plumage.xlsxLuminosity of two different species of Columbicola.Luminosity of lice (Columbicola spp.) from a dark pigeon species (Petrophassa rufipennis) and light pigeon species (Ducula bicolor). See Fig. 4 of associated paper.Crypsis_Dryad_ColSpp.xlsx