A comparative study of interspecies mating of Phratora vulgatissima and P-vitellinae using behavioural tests and molecular markers

Peacock, Lori, Batley, Jacqueline, Dungait, Jennifer, Barker, Jacqueline H. A., Powers, Stephen and Karp, Angela (2004-03) A comparative study of interspecies mating of Phratora vulgatissima and P-vitellinae using behavioural tests and molecular markers. Entomologia Experimentalis Et Applicata, 110 3: 231-241.

Document type:	Journal Article
Collections:	Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) - Collection School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences Publications

Author(s)	Peacock, Lori Batley, Jacqueline Dungait, Jennifer Barker, Jacqueline H. A. Powers, Stephen Karp, Angela
Title	A comparative study of interspecies mating of Phratora vulgatissima and P-vitellinae using behavioural tests and molecular markers
Journal name	Entomologia Experimentalis Et Applicata
Publication date	2004-03
Sub-type	Article
Volume number	110
Issue number	3
ISSN	0013-8703
Start page	231
End page	241
Total pages	11
Place of publication	Oxford
Publisher	Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Language	eng
Abstract	The leaf beetle genus Phratora L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has been used to study the ecology of host plant chemicals in herbivore preference, and the evolution of host use in chemical defence. Phratora vulgatissima and P. vitellinae are sympatric species distributed widely across Europe. Their trophic niches are largely separate due to strong differences in their host feeding preference, but they have occasionally been recorded together, feeding on Salix burjatica'Germany' and, only in early spring, on Populus trichocarpa (Torr & A. Gray) 'Trichobel'. Using behavioural tests and recently developed species-specific microsatellite markers, the intra- and interspecific mating of both beetle species were investigated. The microsatellite markers provided evidence that interspecific mating occurred under field conditions. Interspecific mating also took place under laboratory conditions, but less frequently than mating within species. Females of both species laid fewer eggs, and fewer eggs per clutch, when isolated with an interspecific male than with a conspecific male. Female P. vulgatissima were polyandrous, as microsatellite markers showed that their larvae were the progeny of both P. vulgatissima males that had been isolated with a single female. While only 0.55% of eggs laid in interspecific pair combinations hatched, microsatellite markers provided evidence of hybridisation between beetle species; however, these larvae died within a week when reared in a Petri dish containing 'Germany' and P. trichocarpa leaves. It can therefore be inferred that reproductive isolation is complete. The results are discussed in relation to species integrity and the implications for diverse mixtures of short-rotation coppice willow plantations.
Keyword(s)	Entomology Chrysomelidae Coleoptera hybridisation mating behaviour microsatellites Salix short-rotation coppice Multiple Paternity Microsatellite Analysis Beetles Coleoptera Potato Beetles Leaf-beetles Chrysomelidae Hybridization Hybrid Evolutionary Population