Our PhD candidate, Miles Zhang, presented at the Evolution 2017 .
Testing the tri-trophic speciation patterns of parasitoid wasps in Peristenus pallipes complex (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Day: Saturday
Time: 2:30 PM – 2:44 PM
Location: A107-109
Talk type:
RegularTitle:
Testing the tri-trophic speciation patterns of parasitoid wasps in Peristenus pallipes complex (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)Abstract:
One of the driving forces of genetic divergence and ecological speciation in insects is host-associated differentiation (HAD), and while numerous examples of HAD have been found in various herbivorous insects, examples in the higher trophic levels such as parasitoids (sequential/cascading HAD) are rare. Euphorine braconids in the genus Peristenus are parasitoids of important agriculture pests such as Lygus bugs, however, species level identification for members within the P. pallipes complex are difficult due to inconsistent morphological characters and overlapping host records. Mitochondrial gene COI and Double Digest Restriction site associated DNA Sequencing (ddRADSeq) to two sympatric Peristenus species and their hosts collected from different locations, time, animal hosts, and plant hosts in order to determine population structures and potential driving forces of evolution. Preliminary results based on COI and SNPs suggests that one of the three host species (L. borealis) exhibit host fidelity, the parasitoids are largely separated based on temporal separation. P. mellipes emerges early and attacks 1st generation hosts, while P. howardi emerges later and mainly attacks 2nd generation hosts. This pattern could be the result of temporal niche partitioning, in order to avoid direct competition.Keyword 1:
SpeciationKeyword 2:
Host-parasiteKeyword 3:
InvertebratesTalk Recorded:
Yes
RegularTitle:
Testing the tri-trophic speciation patterns of parasitoid wasps in Peristenus pallipes complex (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)Abstract:
One of the driving forces of genetic divergence and ecological speciation in insects is host-associated differentiation (HAD), and while numerous examples of HAD have been found in various herbivorous insects, examples in the higher trophic levels such as parasitoids (sequential/cascading HAD) are rare. Euphorine braconids in the genus Peristenus are parasitoids of important agriculture pests such as Lygus bugs, however, species level identification for members within the P. pallipes complex are difficult due to inconsistent morphological characters and overlapping host records. Mitochondrial gene COI and Double Digest Restriction site associated DNA Sequencing (ddRADSeq) to two sympatric Peristenus species and their hosts collected from different locations, time, animal hosts, and plant hosts in order to determine population structures and potential driving forces of evolution. Preliminary results based on COI and SNPs suggests that one of the three host species (L. borealis) exhibit host fidelity, the parasitoids are largely separated based on temporal separation. P. mellipes emerges early and attacks 1st generation hosts, while P. howardi emerges later and mainly attacks 2nd generation hosts. This pattern could be the result of temporal niche partitioning, in order to avoid direct competition.Keyword 1:
SpeciationKeyword 2:
Host-parasiteKeyword 3:
InvertebratesTalk Recorded:
Yes
Authors:
 |
Miles Zhang University of Central Florida |
|
Amber Bass University of Central Florida |
|
Catalina Fernández University of Windsor |
|
Barbara Sharanowski University of Central Florida |