Sex-Specific Genetic and Non-Genetic Effects on Life History Traits in the Bean Beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus) Open Access

Abstract

Genetic and non-genetic effects play a large role in determining life history traits. Previous studies have looked to understand the effects of these genetic and non-genetic effects on life history traits. However, these effects have often been observed in isolation. Therefore, we were interested in how these effects may interact and influence offspring life history traits in bean beetles, Callosobrunchus maculatus. Virgin females and males from different combinations of bean host backgrounds were mated while comparing offspring on different combinations of bean hosts. For both mated adults and offspring, black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata) or adzuki beans (Vigna angularis) were used as the host types. Then, the life history traits of egg size, size at emergence, time to emergence, and adult lifespan were measured. Overall, we found a mixed outcome with the presence of both genetic and non-genetic effects. We then observed the relationships between the parental and offspring traits to understand if certain traits affect the outcome of other traits which could help conclude if certain genetic or non-genetic effects were present. There was greater evidence for a predictive SEM model when observing male offspring compared to female offspring. For future directions, we discussed the implementation of observing traits such as clutch size and emergence success. Also, observing the parental and offspring microbiome to understand a microbial effect that may also be based genetically or non-genetically.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction………..………………………………………………………….………………..1

Methods………..…………………………………………………………………………….……6

Results………..…………………………………………………………………………………….10

            Part 1: Overall Effect of Host Type on Life History Traits………..10

            Part 2: Mechanisms of how Life History Traits Interact………….20

Discussion……………..………………………………………………………………………….26

Bibliography………..…………………………………………………………………………….31

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Emory College
Department	Biology
Degree	B.S.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Environmental Sciences Biology, Ecology Biology, General
Keyword	Callosobruchus maculatus Bean Beetle Life History
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Christopher Beck, Emory University
Committee Members	Michal Arbilly, Emory University Kyungmin (Teddy) Kim, Emory University

Last modified

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Sex-Specific Genetic and Non-Genetic Effects on Life History Traits in the Bean Beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus) ()	2023-04-04 11:20:07 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions