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. 2016 Oct 11;6(21):7911-7920.
doi: 10.1002/ece3.2484. eCollection 2016 Nov.

Inheritance genetics of the trait vector competence in Frankliniella occidentalis (Western flower thrips) in the transmission of Tomato spotted wilt virus

Pamella Akoth Ogada  1 , Thomas Debener  2 , Hans-Michael Poehling  1
Affiliations

Inheritance genetics of the trait vector competence in Frankliniella occidentalis (Western flower thrips) in the transmission of Tomato spotted wilt virus

Pamella Akoth Ogada et al. Ecol Evol. .

Abstract

The complexity of tospovirus-vector-host plant interaction is linked to a range of factors influencing vector's efficacy in virus transmission, leading to high variability in the transmission efficiency within vector populations. Main shortcomings of most studies are the missing information on the intrinsic potential of individual insects to serve as efficient vectors, both at phenotypic and at genotypic levels. Moreover, detailed analysis of vector competence heredity and monitoring the splitting of both genotypes and phenotypes in filial generations has not been reported. In this study, using the model system Frankliniella occidentalis and Tomato spotted wilt virus, we evaluated the inheritance and stability of the trait vector competence in a population through basic crossings of individually characterized partners, as well as virgin reproduction. We hypothesized that the trait is heritable in F. occidentalis and is controlled by a recessive allele. From the results, 83% and 94% of competent and noncompetent males respectively, inherited their status from their mothers. The trait was only expressed when females were homozygous for the corresponding allele. Furthermore, the allele frequencies were different between males and females, and the competent allele had the highest frequency in the population. These suggest that the trait vector competence is inherited in single recessive gene in F. occidentalis, for which the phenotype is determined by the haplodiploid mechanism. These findings are fundamental for our understanding of the temporal and spatial variability within vector populations with respect to the trait vector competence and at the same time offer an essential basis for further molecular studies.

Keywords: Frankliniella occidentalis; Tomato spotted wilt virus; haplodiploidy; inheritance; intraspecific variation; tospovirus; vector competence.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Representation of competence status (genotypes) in the test populations of Frankliniella occidentalis; (A) representation of different genotypes in virgin females' population, (B) cross‐combinations representation of different genotypes. CC & C‐: homozygous noncompetent female and noncompetent male status, respectively; Cc: heterozygous noncompetent female; cc & c‐: homozygous competent female and competent male status, respectively
Figure 2
Figure 2
Evaluation of inheritance of the trait vector competence by Frankliniella occidentalis: Status of progeny from virgin females. F0♀ represents the virgin female parents, and F1♂ represents the male offspring. Comp = competent status, non‐comp = noncompetent. CC & C‐: homozygous noncompetent female and noncompetent male status, respectively; Cc: heterozygous noncompetent female; cc & c‐: homozygous competent female and competent male status, respectively
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