Genetic variation and covariation among life history traits in populations of Acanthoscelides obtectus maintained on different hosts

Abstract

AbstractWe explored the extent to which two populations of Acanthoscelides obtectus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), maintained in the laboratory for about 60 generations on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seeds, differ genetically in life history traits. Using a half‐sib breeding design, we screened for genetic variation in oviposition preference for two hosts within both populations, and examined whether this variation is correlated with weevil pre‐adult (egg‐to‐adult viability and egg‐to‐adult developmental time) and adult (female fecundity and longevity) fitness components on these two hosts. Significant differences between the Phaseolus and Cicer population were detected in viability, developmental time and oviposition preference, but not in female fecundity and longevity. The absence of a significant population × host interaction in all traits, except for developmental time in males, indicates that the Cicer population has not attained the status of ‘host race’. The estimated narrow‐sense heritabilities within population within host plant were in the low‐to‐moderate level (range: 1%–79%), with an overall average of about 24%. Within the population maintained on the chickpeas we detected significant genetic correlations between female developmental time on chickpea seeds and preference for chickpeas. In the population maintained on the primary host of this weevil species (the ‘Phaseolus’ population) we found no significant preference/performance genetic correlations. Data are also presented on the genetic correlations of preference and performance across host seeds within both populations. These correlations are found to be positive for all traits in both populations, indicating the absence of trade‐offs in either performance or behavioural response that might impose selection for host specialization within populations.