The Red Queen process does not select for high recombination rates in haplodiploid hosts

Abstract

One of the main competing theories to describe the evolution of recombination is the Red Queen Hypothesis (RQH). Presently, many theoretical analyses of the RQH typically examine fitness interactions in host-parasite frameworks. Less emphasis has been placed on understanding the impact of host ploidy in these systems. In this study, we look to investigate the high observed rates of recombination observed in two common haplodiploid species (Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris). We compared haplodiploid to diploid host populations under infection with haploid asexual parasites, using a Matching Allele (MAM) model. Results from a simulation analysis showed that the Red Queen does not run in haplodiploid hosts and is therefore, probably not responsible for the high recombination rates observed so far in haplodiploid hosts.