A genetic study of biomass in Tribolium. I. Path coefficient analysis of base populations.

Abstract

Biomass, an aggregate trait combining the metric trait 13-day larval weight with the reproductive fitness trait number of larvae per mating, was investigated in two unrelated base populations of Tribolium castaneum, black and pearl.The black population was characterized by smaller 13-day larvae, more larvae per mating due to a higher rate of fecundity, and a smaller biomass than was observed for the pearl population. Both genetic and phenotypic variances were higher in black than in pearl. Heritability estimates for larval weight approached 0.20 in both populations while those for the fitness traits were smaller and seldom exceeded 10%. Non-additive genetic effects as well as maternal influences were observed in both populations. Positive estimates for the genetic correlations between larval weight and number of larvae per mating were observed for both populations (0.47 for black and 0.17 for pearl).Path coefficient analyses revealed that larval number in both populations had greater genetic and phenotypic influences on biomass than did larval weight. In turn, egg number had a greater influence on number of larvae than did larval viability.