Open AccessIntraspecific variability in the parasitoid wasp T richogramma chilonis : can we predict the outcome of hybridization?
Author(s) -
Benvenuto Chiara,
Tabone Elisabeth,
Vercken Elodie,
Sorbier Nathalie,
Colombel Etty,
Warot Sylvie,
Fauvergue Xavier,
Ris Nicolas
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
evolutionary applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.776
H-Index - 68
ISSN - 1752-4571
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-4571.2012.00279.x
Subject(s) - biology , heterosis , intraspecific competition , trichogrammatidae , inbreeding depression , parasitoid wasp , hybrid , biological pest control , inbreeding , ecology , parasitoid , microbiology and biotechnology , population , agronomy , demography , sociology
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 T richogramma chilonis ( H ymenoptera: T richogrammatidae). Our results show different levels of mating compatibilities among populations, including asymmetric or almost complete reproductive isolation. Hybrids' performance (fitness of the F 1 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.