Do variable compensatory mechanisms explain the polymorphism of the dependence phenotype in the Asobara tabida-Wolbachia association?

The variation of the egg load in symbiotic and aposymbiotic females within and between various Asobara tabida populations was analyzed to determine the extent to which egg load is polymorphic in natural populations and also assess the link between the degree of dependence on Wolbachia for producing eggs and the number of eggs produced by Wolbachia-infected females. The results provide insight into the effect of variation in the ovarian phenotype on different levels of compensatory mechanisms in response to Wolbachia infection and the influence of oxidative stress on maintenance of polymorphism through selection on different antagonist traits.