TY - JOUR

T1 - Inheritance genetics of the trait vector competence in Frankliniella occidentalis (Western flower thrips) in the transmission of Tomato spotted wilt virus

AU - Ogada, Pamella Akoth

AU - Debener, Thomas

AU - Poehling, Hans Michael

N1 - Funding Information: This research was funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft—DFG; Project number: 207/37-1). The publication of this article was funded by the Open Access fund of Leibniz Universität Hannover. We thank Wageningen University, the Netherlands, for the supply of both the Frankliniella occidentalis and TSWV isolates; Dr. Marcus Linde, Institute of Plant Genetics Leibniz Universität Hannover, for the discussions to the improvement of the manuscript, and the Phytomedicine department; Leibniz Universität Hannover for the technical support.

PY - 2016/11/1

Y1 - 2016/11/1

N2 - The complexity of tospovirus–vector–host plant interaction is linked to a range of factors influencing vector's efficacy in virus transmission, leading to high variability in the transmission efficiency within vector populations. Main shortcomings of most studies are the missing information on the intrinsic potential of individual insects to serve as efficient vectors, both at phenotypic and at genotypic levels. Moreover, detailed analysis of vector competence heredity and monitoring the splitting of both genotypes and phenotypes in filial generations has not been reported. In this study, using the model system Frankliniella occidentalis and Tomato spotted wilt virus, we evaluated the inheritance and stability of the trait vector competence in a population through basic crossings of individually characterized partners, as well as virgin reproduction. We hypothesized that the trait is heritable in F. occidentalis and is controlled by a recessive allele. From the results, 83% and 94% of competent and noncompetent males respectively, inherited their status from their mothers. The trait was only expressed when females were homozygous for the corresponding allele. Furthermore, the allele frequencies were different between males and females, and the competent allele had the highest frequency in the population. These suggest that the trait vector competence is inherited in single recessive gene in F. occidentalis, for which the phenotype is determined by the haplodiploid mechanism. These findings are fundamental for our understanding of the temporal and spatial variability within vector populations with respect to the trait vector competence and at the same time offer an essential basis for further molecular studies.

AB - The complexity of tospovirus–vector–host plant interaction is linked to a range of factors influencing vector's efficacy in virus transmission, leading to high variability in the transmission efficiency within vector populations. Main shortcomings of most studies are the missing information on the intrinsic potential of individual insects to serve as efficient vectors, both at phenotypic and at genotypic levels. Moreover, detailed analysis of vector competence heredity and monitoring the splitting of both genotypes and phenotypes in filial generations has not been reported. In this study, using the model system Frankliniella occidentalis and Tomato spotted wilt virus, we evaluated the inheritance and stability of the trait vector competence in a population through basic crossings of individually characterized partners, as well as virgin reproduction. We hypothesized that the trait is heritable in F. occidentalis and is controlled by a recessive allele. From the results, 83% and 94% of competent and noncompetent males respectively, inherited their status from their mothers. The trait was only expressed when females were homozygous for the corresponding allele. Furthermore, the allele frequencies were different between males and females, and the competent allele had the highest frequency in the population. These suggest that the trait vector competence is inherited in single recessive gene in F. occidentalis, for which the phenotype is determined by the haplodiploid mechanism. These findings are fundamental for our understanding of the temporal and spatial variability within vector populations with respect to the trait vector competence and at the same time offer an essential basis for further molecular studies.

KW - Frankliniella occidentalis

KW - haplodiploidy

KW - inheritance

KW - intraspecific variation

KW - Tomato spotted wilt virus

KW - tospovirus

KW - vector competence

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84993947030&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/ece3.2484

DO - 10.1002/ece3.2484

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84993947030

VL - 6

SP - 7911

EP - 7920

JO - Ecology and evolution

JF - Ecology and evolution

SN - 2045-7758

IS - 21

ER -