Thermal sensitivity of immune function: evidence against a generalist-specialist trade-off among endothermic and ectothermic vertebrates.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
Read More Add to Saved list
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: University of Chicago Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 2984688R Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1537-5323 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00030147 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Am Nat Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Chicago, IL : University of Chicago Press
      Original Publication: Salem, Mass. : Essex Institute
    • Subject Terms:
      Genetic Fitness*; Body Temperature Regulation/*immunology ; Hemagglutination/*physiology ; Hemolysis/*physiology ; Immunity, Innate/*physiology ; Vertebrates/*immunology; Animals ; Models, Statistical ; Phylogeny ; Regression Analysis ; Vertebrates/classification
    • Abstract:
      Animal body temperature (Tbody) varies over daily and annual cycles, affecting multiple aspects of biological performance in both endothermic and ectothermic animals. Yet a comprehensive comparison of thermal performance among animals varying in Tbody (mean and variance) and heat production is lacking. Thus, we examined the thermal sensitivity of immune function (a crucial fitness determinant) in Vertebrata, a group encompassing species of varying thermal biology. Specifically, we investigated temperature-related variation in two innate immune performance metrics, hemagglutination and hemolysis, for 13 species across all seven major vertebrate clades. Agglutination and lysis were temperature dependent and were more strongly related to the thermal biology of species (e.g., mean Tbody) than to the phylogenetic relatedness of species, although these relationships were complex and frequently surprising (e.g., heterotherms did not exhibit broader thermal performance curves than homeotherms). Agglutination and lysis performance were positively correlated within species, except in taxa that produce squalamine, a steroidal antibiotic that does not lyse red blood cells. Interestingly, we found the antithesis of a generalist-specialist trade-off: species with broader temperature ranges of immune performance also had higher peak performance levels. In sum, we have uncovered thermal sensitivity of immune performance in both endotherms and ectotherms, highlighting the role that temperature and life history play in immune function across Vertebrata.
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20130515 Date Completed: 20131017 Latest Revision: 20130514
    • Publication Date:
      20221213
    • Accession Number:
      10.1086/670191
    • Accession Number:
      23669539