Pleiotropic Effects of DDT Resistance on Male Size and Behaviour

Wayne G Rostant,James Facey,David J Hosken,Nina Wedell,Jemima Bowyer,Jack Coupland

doi:10.1007/s10519-017-9850-6

Wayne G Rostant, James Facey + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-017-9850-6

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Journal: Behavior genetics	Publication Date: May 2, 2017
Citations: 22	License type: open-access

Affiliation: University of Exeter, University of East Anglia

Abstract

Understanding the evolution and spread of insecticide resistance requires knowing the relative fitness of resistant organisms. In the absence of insecticides, resistance is predicted to be costly. The Drosophila melanogaster DDT resistance allele (DDT-R) is associated with a male mating cost. This could be because resistant males are generally smaller, but DDT-R may also alter courtship behaviours. Here we tested for body size and courtship effects of DDT-R on mating success in competitive and non-competitive mating trials respectively. We also assessed relative aggression in resistant and susceptible males because aggression can also influence mating success. While the effect of DDT-R on male size partly contributed to reduced mating success, resistant males also had lower rates of courtship and were less aggressive than susceptible males. These differences contribute to the observed DDT-R mating costs. Additionally, these pleiotropic effects of DDT-R are consistent with the history and spread of resistance alleles in nature.

Highlights

A key question in the evolution and spread of insecticide resistance is the fitness of organisms carrying a resistance allele
Evidence of pleiotropic fitness costs associated with insecticide resistance alleles is equivocal
Some studies have found that investment in resistance carries a fitness cost (Minkoff and Wilson 1992; Chevillon et al 1997; Boivin et al 2001; Berticat et al 2002; Rivero et al 2011; Smith et al 2011; Platt et al 2015), whereas others have failed to find any detrimental effects (Follett et al 1993; Tang et al 1999; Castañeda et al 2011), and some have even demonstrated insecticide resistance alleles conferring pleiotropic fitness benefits (Omer et al 1992; Arnaud and Haubruge 2002; McCart et al 2005; Bielzaet al. 2008)

Summary

Introduction

A key question in the evolution and spread of insecticide resistance is the fitness of organisms carrying a resistance allele. Evidence of pleiotropic fitness costs associated with insecticide resistance alleles is equivocal. Some studies have found that investment in resistance carries a fitness cost (Minkoff and Wilson 1992; Chevillon et al 1997; Boivin et al 2001; Berticat et al 2002; Rivero et al 2011; Smith et al 2011; Platt et al 2015), whereas others have failed to find any detrimental effects (Follett et al 1993; Tang et al 1999; Castañeda et al 2011), and some have even demonstrated insecticide resistance alleles conferring pleiotropic fitness benefits Resistance alleles can show epistasis, where pleiotropic effects are mediated by the genotype (genetic background) of the insect (Hollingsworth et al 1997; Oppert et al 2000; Smith et al 2011)

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