Sex, males, and hermaphrodites in the scale insect Icerya purchasi
Androdioecy (the coexistence of males and hermaphrodites) is a raremating system for which the evolutionary dynamics are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi, one of only three reported cases of androdioecy in insects. In this species, female-like herm...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | article |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Published: |
Wiley Online Library
2021
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/7826 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evo.14233 |
| Summary: | Androdioecy (the coexistence of males and hermaphrodites) is a raremating system for which the evolutionary dynamics are poorly
understood. Here, we investigate the cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi, one of only three reported cases of androdioecy in
insects. In this species, female-like hermaphrodites have been shown to produce sperm and self-fertilize. However, males are
ocassionally observed as well. In a large genetic analysis, we show for the first time that, although self-fertilization appears to
be the primary mode of reproduction, rare outbreeding events do occur in natural populations, supporting the hypothesis that
hermaphrodites mate with males and hence androdioecy is the mating system of I. purchasi. Thus, this globally invasive pest insect appears to enjoy the colonization advantages of a selfing organism while also benefitting from periodic reintroduction of genetic variation through outbreeding with males. |
|---|