Open AccessOngoing ecological speciation in Cotesia sesamiae , a biological control agent of cereal stem borers
Author(s) -
Kaiser Laure,
Le Ru Bruno Pierre,
Kaoula Ferial,
Paillusson Corentin,
CapdevielleDulac Claire,
Obonyo Julius Ochieng,
Herniou Elisabeth A.,
Jancek Severine,
Branca Antoine,
Calatayud PaulAndré,
Silvain JeanFrançois,
Dupas Stephane
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
evolutionary applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.776
H-Index - 68
ISSN - 1752-4571
DOI - 10.1111/eva.12260
Subject(s) - biology , host (biology) , ecological speciation , reproductive isolation , insect , lineage (genetic) , range (aeronautics) , genetic algorithm , evolutionary biology , phylogenetic tree , taxon , ecology , zoology , population , gene flow , genetic variation , gene , genetics , demography , materials science , sociology , composite material
To develop efficient and safe biological control, we need to reliably identify natural enemy species, determine their host range, and understand the mechanisms that drive host range evolution. We investigated these points in Cotesia sesamiae , an African parasitic wasp of cereal stem borers. Phylogenetic analyses of 74 individual wasps, based on six mitochondrial and nuclear genes, revealed three lineages. We then investigated the ecological status (host plant and host insect ranges in the field, and host insect suitability tests) and the biological status (cross‐mating tests) of the three lineages. We found that one highly supported lineage showed all the hallmarks of a cryptic species. It is associated with one host insect, Sesamia nonagrioides, and is reproductively isolated from the other two lineages by pre‐ and postmating barriers. The other two lineages had a more variable phylogenetic support, depending on the set of genes; they exhibited an overlapping and diversified range of host species and are not reproductively isolated from one another. We discuss the ecological conditions and mechanisms that likely generated this ongoing speciation and the relevance of this new specialist taxon in the genus Cotesia for biological control.