Intraspecific variability in the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma chilonis : can we predict the outcome of hybridization?

Benvenuto, C; Tabone, E; Vercken, E; Sorbier, N; Colombel, E; Warot, S; Fauvergue, X; Ris, N

Abstract

In the framework of biological control, the selection of effective natural enemies
determines the final pest control. Thus, the genetic improvement of biocontrol
agents could enhance the efficiency of biocontrol programs. Although promising,
this approach has rarely been applied in this field. At the intraspecific level,
hybridization between divergent populations of biocontrol agents is expected to
promote hybrid vigor (heterosis), but it is not clear to what extent. An even more
difficult task is the ability to predict the fitness of hybrids from the biological
characteristics of their parents. We investigated these general questions by crossing seven populations of the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma chilonis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). Our results show different levels of mating
compatibilities among populations, including asymmetric or almost complete
reproductive isolation. Hybrids’ performance (fitness of the F1
generation) ranges
from inbreeding depression to heterosis. It was possible, to some extent, to predict hybrid fitness from pairwise genetic and phenotypic distances among parents, in accordance with the ‘dominance’ hypothesis. This may provide general
guidelines for the genetic improvement of biological control agents.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Sep 12, 2014
• Journal: Evolutionary Applications
• Print ISSN: 1752-4563
• Electronic ISSN: 1752-4571
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 498-510
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-4571.2012.00279.x
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-4571.2012.00279.x
• Related Public URLs: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1752-4571/
• Additional Information: Funders : Funder not known