Genetic architecture of dispersal behaviour in the post-harvest pest and model organism Tribolium castaneum.

ABSTRACT: Dispersal behaviour is an important aspect of the life-history of animals. However, the genetic architecture of dispersal-related traits is often obscure or unknown, even in well studied species. Tribolium castaneum is a globally significant post-harvest pest and established model organism, yet studies of its dispersal have shown ambiguous results and the genetic basis of this behaviour remains unresolved. We combine experimental evolution and agent-based modelling to investigate the number of loci underlying dispersal in T. castaneum, and whether the trait is sex-linked. Our findings demonstrate rapid evolution of dispersal behaviour under selection. We find no evidence of sex-biases in the dispersal behaviour of the offspring of crosses, supporting an autosomal genetic basis of the trait

SUBMITTER: Pointer MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10539327 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature