Abstract
Populations of Thrips tabaci are known to have two sympatric but genetically isolated reproductive modes, arrhenotoky (sexual reproduction) and thelytoky (asexual reproduction). Herein, we report behavioral, ecological and genetic studies to determine whether there is gene flow between arrhenotokous and thelytokous T. tabaci. We did not detect significant preference by arrhenotokous males to mate with females of a particular reproductive mode, nor did we detect significant behavioral differences between arrhenotokous males mated with arrhenotokous or thelytokous females in their pre-copulation, copulation duration and mating frequency. Productive gene transfer resulting from the mating between the two modes was experimentally confirmed. Gene transfer from arrhenotokous T. tabaci to thelytokous T. tabaci was further validated by confirmation of the passage of the arrhenotokous male-originated nuclear gene (histone H3 gene) allele to the F2 generation. These behavioral, ecological and genetic studies confirmed gene transfer from the sexual arrhenotokous mode to the asexual thelytokous mode of T. tabaci in the laboratory. These results demonstrate that asexual T. tabaci populations may acquire genetic variability from sexual populations, which could offset the long-term disadvantage of asexual reproduction.
Highlights
One of the greatest challenges in evolutionary biology is to assess the relative advantages of sexual and asexual reproduction
Results based on genetic differentiation alone are not sufficient for estimating actual gene flow or hybridization especially when the rate of gene transfer is low [44]
The results from this study demonstrate that mating isolation between arrhenotokous males and thelytokous females is not complete
Summary
One of the greatest challenges in evolutionary biology is to assess the relative advantages of sexual and asexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction hypothetically has a disadvantage due to the cost of producing males [1]. Sexual reproduction counterbalances this disadvantage by preventing the accumulation of deleterious mutations and creating new gene combinations that may enhance adaptation [2, 3]. Sexual reproduction is dominant in eukaryotic organisms [4] asexual populations or parthenogenesis have potential advantages since they do not waste eggs producing males and can establish populations more rapidly [5]. Asexual reproduction lacks the long-term genetic flexibility offered by genetic variation and recombination.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
