Abstract
Maternal and paternal effects are now acknowledged as a significant source of variation in offspring phenotypes, with potentially life-long consequences for individuals’ life histories. While a large body of evidence exists on maternal effects across animal taxa, paternal effects have been largely underestimated. The purpose of this study was to investigate non-genetic paternal effects in a parasitoid wasp, Lysiphlebus fabarum (Braconidae: Aphidiinae), in which maternal and paternal body sizes were manipulated and mated in a cross design. Following that, early adulthood life history traits of the offspring were recorded. Large mothers produced larger offspring with quicker developmental times. This pattern was also seen when looking at effects of fathers on their offspring. Interestingly, the egg load of the offspring was influenced by paternal, but not maternal body size, suggesting direct paternal effects in this species of parasitoid wasp. Consequently, females may benefit from mating with large male, as their offspring emerge with enhanced life histories, posing indirect selection on female sexual preferences. Our findings provide insight into the relative importance of both maternal and paternal body size to the offspring early adulthood life histories and shed light on the underlying mechanisms by which offspring phenotypes have been shaped.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz (Grant Number SCU.AP99.437).
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This study was supported by Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz (Grant Number SCU.AP99.437).
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Design experiments: AR; collecting data: HA; Analysing: MA, writing manuscript: MA, Revising manuscript: AR.
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Rasekh, A., Ameri, M. & Atashdar, H. The contribution of maternal and paternal body size to offspring early adulthood life histories in a parasitoid wasp, Lysiphlebus fabarum. Evol Ecol 36, 409–420 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-022-10171-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-022-10171-y