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The effect of multiple mating on genetic relatedness in larval aggregations of the imported willow leaf beetle (Plagiodera versicolora, Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

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Summary

The effect of multiple mating on the average genetic relatedness within socially interacting sib groups was studied in the imported willow leaf beetle. Using an electrophoretically determined genetic marker, it was demonstrated that between 49 and 96% of wild caught females produce egg clutches expressing multiple sires. Following theoretical predictions of Wade (1982), this information was used to estimate the harmonic mean number of sires per family and then the average relatedness within families. Average relatedness was estimated to be 0.38. An alternate form of data analysis suggested by Pamilo and Crozier (1982) did not require any knowledge of paternity and resulted in a slightly higher estimate of relatedness, 0.44.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Biology, Vanderbilt University, 37235, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

    David E. McCauley & Regina O'Donnell

  2. Mountain Lake Biological Station, Route 1, 24136, Pembroke, Virginia, USA

    David E. McCauley & Regina O'Donnell

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  1. David E. McCauley
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  2. Regina O'Donnell
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McCauley, D.E., O'Donnell, R. The effect of multiple mating on genetic relatedness in larval aggregations of the imported willow leaf beetle (Plagiodera versicolora, Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 15, 287–291 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00292991

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00292991

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