Novel microsatellite markers suggest the mechanism of parthenogenesis in Extatosoma tiaratum is automixis with terminal fusion

Parthenogenetic reproduction is taxonomically widespread and occurs through various cytological mechanisms, which have different impact on the genetic variation of the offspring. Extatosoma tiaratum is a facultatively parthenogenetic Australian insect (Phasmatodea), in which females oviposit continu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insect science 2018-02, Vol.25 (1), p.24-32
Main Authors: Alavi, Yasaman, Rooyen, Anthony, Elgar, Mark Adrian, Jones, Therésa Melanie, Weeks, Andrew Raymond
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
apomixis
automixis
Cost benefit analysis
Eggs
Extatosoma tiaratum
Female
Females
Fitness
Genetic diversity
Genetic markers
Genotyping
Heterozygosity
Inheritance Patterns
Insecta - physiology
Insects
Life span
Loss of heterozygosity
Male
Markers
Mating
microsatellite markers
Microsatellite Repeats
Microsatellites
Offspring
Parthenogenesis
Reproduction
Reproduction (biology)
Reproductive fitness
Sexual reproduction
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Summary:Parthenogenetic reproduction is taxonomically widespread and occurs through various cytological mechanisms, which have different impact on the genetic variation of the offspring. Extatosoma tiaratum is a facultatively parthenogenetic Australian insect (Phasmatodea), in which females oviposit continuously throughout their adult lifespan irrespective of mating. Fertilized eggs produce sons and daughters through sexual reproduction and unfertilized eggs produce female offspring via parthenogenesis. Here, we developed novel microsatellite markers for E. tiaratum and characterized them by genotyping individuals from a natural population. We then used the microsatellite markers to infer the cytological mechanism of parthenogenesis in this species. We found evidence suggesting parthenogenesis in E. tiaratum occurs through automixis with terminal fusion, resulting in substantial loss of microsatellite heterozygosity in the offspring. Loss of microsatellite heterozygosity may be associated with loss of heterozygosity in fitness related loci. The mechanism of parthenogenetic reproduction can therefore affect fitness outcomes and needs to be considered when comparing costs and benefits of sex versus parthenogenesis.
ISSN:1672-9609
1744-7917
DOI:10.1111/1744-7917.12373