Insects (Oct 2022)

Latent Genetic Effects of Past Selection on Blood Feeding: History Matters

  • William E. Bradshaw,
  • Piper Kizziar,
  • Rudyard J. Borowczak,
  • Ethan Kirsch,
  • Christina M. Holzapfel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13100939
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 10
p. 939

Abstract

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Conventional wisdom is that selection decreases genetic variation in populations, variation that should enable and be essential for population persistence in an ever-changing world. Basically, we find the opposite. Response to selection on biting in the pitcher-plant mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii, increases from 20 to 80% in 19 generations, but reverts back to the original 20% after seven generations of relaxed (not reversed) selection. At the same time, biting in the control line remains at the original 20% through 30 generations without blood feeding. Imposition of selection on biting in both lines elicits a rapid response in the previously selected line, but, importantly, not in the control line. Genetic variation for biting has increased, not decreased, as a consequence of long-term directional selection, contrary to expectations. Convergent phenotypes belie the underlying difference in future adaptive potential. Selection events over time in the background of individuals or populations will determine outcomes of applied research, be it in the fields of medicine, agriculture, or conservation. In short, history matters.

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