Evolution of reproductive mode variation and host associations in a sexual-asexual complex of aphid parasitoids.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Lysiphlebus fabarum group is a taxonomically poorly resolved complex of aphid parasitoids, presently split into three described species that comprise sexual (arrhenotokous) and asexual (thelytokous) lineages of unknown relationship. Specifically, it is unclear how asexuals evolved from sexuals in this system, to what extent reproductive modes are still connected by genetic exchange, how much the complex is structured by geography or by host-associated differentiation, and whether species designations are valid. Using a combination of population genetic and phylogenetic approaches, we addressed these issues in a comprehensive sample of parasitoid wasps from across Europe.

Results

Asexual reproduction predominated in parasitoids of the L. fabarum group, with ase

SUBMITTER: Sandrock C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3259107 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature