Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Insect nematodes Molecular genetics'

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema) kill their invertebrate hosts with the aid of a mutualistic bacterium. The bacteria (Xenorhabdus spp. for steinernematids and Photorhabdus spp. for heterorhabditids) are primarily responsible for killing the host and providing the nematodes with nutrition and defense against secondary invaders. Photorhabdus is a Gram-negative bacterium in the Enterobacteriaceae family with high virulence towards their insect hosts. To achieve high mortality rates Photorhabdus produces a variety of virulence factors such as toxins, lipases, proteases, secretion systems, and fimbriae. EPNs are amenable to laboratory rearing and mass production for biocontrol applications against insects using in vivo or in vitro methods; however, in vitro liquid culture is considered to be the most efficient. In this method the symbiotic bacteria are cultured prior to the addition of their partner EPN. This can leave the bacteria susceptible to a number of problems such as genetic drift and inadvertent selection. Regardless of the culture method the symbiotic bacteria exhibit trait deterioration or changes due to laboratory rearing. This project had three primary aims: 1) investigate the role of nutrition in trait deterioration, 2) examine virulence evolution using a phylogenetic context, and 3) identify genes that are necessary for survival and virulence inside the insect host. Prior to studying these objectives we first determined the optimal conditions for growing and counting viable cells of Photorhabdus. We discovered that growth is enhanced by the addition of pyruvate to growth media. To determine the role of nutrition in trait deterioration we repeatedly sub-cultured Photorhabdus in three different media types. Throughout this study we found that, in contrast to previous studies, trait deterioration does not always happen and the environment influences trait deterioration. Furthermore, based on our phylogenetic studies we found that Photorhabdus spp. are evolving to an increase in insect virulence. Lastly, using Tn-seq we determined a list of 84 genes that are needed for efficient virulence inside the insect host and provide suggestions for ongoing research efforts.

Bibliography: leaves 108-128. Maternal protein secretions from the parthenogenetic endoparasitoid wasp Venturia canescens Gravenhorst (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) were analysed regarding their ability to protect the parasitoid egg against the host immune system. These secretions include nucleic acid-free glycoproteins, called virus-like particles (VLPs) that are produced in the ovarian calyx gland. Results found that VLP-free calyx fluid has the ability to actively suppress host defence reactions, rather than VLPs on the egg surface being solely responsible for the protection of the egg. It was shown the VLP-free calyx fluid contains serine protease-inhibitor activity capable of transiently inhibiting melanogenisis and hemocyte spreading in the host. This indicates that immediately after oviposition the egg surface is not fully protected against host defence reactions. However, at later stages the egg seems to have acquired an immunologically inert surface, and is therefore protected after the suppressive activity of the calyx fluid has disappeared.

Teladorsagia circumcincta is a common parasitic nematode of the sheep abomasum, causing reduced growth in young lambs. The widespread development of anthelmintic resistant parasites has driven the need for alternative control strategies. Resistant immunity is acquired through repeated exposure to the parasite. The immune response and clinical outcome vary greatly between animals, but resistance is heritable. The aims of this project were: 1) understand how sheep respond to nematode infection; 2) understand and identify genes associated with the response; 3) identify variation within those genes which may contribute to resistance. Using an artificially infected animal model, transcriptomic analysis in resistant and susceptible lambs identified genes involved in T helper cell polarization as integral to disease outcome. T helper cell (Th)1 and Th17 activation was associated with susceptibility (low antibody, high worm numbers) while a Th2 response was associated with resistance (high antibody levels and clearance of infection). The Th cell transcription factors (GATA3, TBX21, RORC2 and RORA) were sequenced with splice variants and SNPs identified. Analysis of gene expression in the abomasal lymph node identified RORAv2 as associated with susceptibility and RORAv5 as associated with resistance. In the abomasal mucosa, GATA3 expression was linked to resistance. Expression analysis of cytokine receptors expressed by Th cells identified IL17RB and IL17RBv2 as associated with resistance in the abomasal mucosa. Analysis of the SNPs within these genes in 3 naturally infected populations identified a significant association between SNPs in IL23R with weight and FEC. This project has provided an in-depth analysis of the ovine transcriptome and identified several genes associated with the development of resistance to nematodes.

Social insects are ecologically dominant because of their specialized, cooperative castes. Reproductive queens lay eggs, while workers take part in brood rearing, nest defense, and foraging. These cooperative castes are a prime example of phenotypic plasticity, whereby a single genetic code gives rise to variation in form and function based on environmental differences. Thus, social insects are well suited for studying mechanisms which give rise to and maintain phenotypic plasticity. At the molecular level, phenotypic plasticity coincides with the differential expression of genes. This dissertation examines the molecular evolution of genes with differential expression between discrete phenotypic or environmental contexts, represented chiefly by female queen and worker castes in social insects. The studies included herein examine evolution at three important levels of biological information: (i) gene expression, (ii) modifications to DNA in the form of methylation, and (iii) protein-coding sequence. From these analyses, a common theme has emerged: genes with differential expression among castes frequently exhibit signatures of relaxed selective constraint relative to ubiquitously expressed genes. Thus, genes associated with phenotypic plasticity paradoxically exhibit modest importance to overall fitness but exceptional evolutionary potential, as illustrated by the success of the social insects.

Baculoviruses have been used as biocontrol agents to control insect pests in agriculture since the 1970s. Out of the fifteen virus families known to infect insects, baculoviruses offer the greatest potential as insect biopesticides, due to their high host specificity which makes them extremely safe to humans, other vertebrates, plants and non-target microorganisms. They comprise of two genera: nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) and granuloviruses (GVs). The South African isolate of Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV-SA) which is infectious for the false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta, (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), has been successfully developed into two commercial biopesticides; Cryptogran® and Cryptex®, for the control of FCM in citrus crops. The current method of enumeration used for CrleGV-SA virus particles in routine experiments during the production of the GV as biopesticides, is dark field microscopy. However, due to the small size of GVs (300-500 nm in length), the technique is not easy to perform on these viruses, and no systemic comparison has been made of potential alternative methods. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to develop a quantitative enumeration method for CrleGV-SA occlusion bodies (OBs) which is accurate, reliable, and feasible, and compare the developed methods of enumeration to the current method. Purified and semi-purified CrleGV-SA viral stocks were prepared for enumeration studies using spectrophotometry, dark field microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and real time qPCR. Spectrophotometry was found to be an unreliable method for enumeration of GVs in the production, standardisation, and quality control of biopesticides. Dark field microscopy and SEM were found to be accurate, and statistically comparable (p = 0.064) enumeration techniques. qPCR is currently being optimised for the enumeration of GVs. This technique was demonstrated to generate accurate standard curves for absolute quantification of virus particles for pure and semi-pure virus preparations. qPCR offers the greatest potential as an accurate enumeration method because it is not affected by contamination with non-biological contaminating debris, nor by other biological material due to the specificity of PCR primers. Further work is required to fully develop qPCR as an enumeration method for GVs. However, dark field microscopy has been successfully validated as an enumeration method. SEM, which has a high resolution compared to light microscopy, has an added advantage over dark field microscopy, which is to distinguish virus particles in semi-pure viral stock preparations during counting. Therefore, SEM currently provides the most unambiguous and feasible enumeration method for GVs in both purified and semi-purified virus samples.

Abstract In social insects a major cost of social life is the high number of pathogens found in large societies and the greater likelihood of transmission of pathogens among closely related individuals. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the effect of high pathogen pressure on the molecular evolution of genes involved in the innate immune system in social insects. In addition, the transmission dynamics of the intracellular bacteria Wolbachia in wood ants was examined. By comparing DNA sequences from diverse species of ants and honeybees it was shown that the immune genes in hymenopteran social insects have evolved rapidly. However, by using codon-based likelihood models of evolution positive selection was detected in only two ant genes. This may reflect behaviourally based colony-level defences that can reduce selective pressure on the immune genes. The transmission modes of Wolbachia were studied by comparing DNA sequence variation of the bacteria with that of the host ants. First, it was found that all the studied ants carry Wolbachia. Second, Wolbachia have been transmitted both vertically from mother to offspring and horizontally between individuals of the same as well as of different species
Tiivistelmä Yhteiskuntahyönteisten (muurahaiset, ampiaiset, mehiläiset ja termiitit) ekologisen menestyksen kääntöpuolena on ollut jatkuva riesa taudinaiheuttajista, joita suurissa yhteisöissä tavataan runsaammin kuin yksittäin elävissä eliöissä. Taudinaiheuttajien tuoman paineen myötä yhteiskuntahyönteisille on kehittynyt käyttäytymiseen perustuvia puolustusmekanismeja täydentämään kaikille monisoluisille eliöille yhteistä synnynnäistä, fysiologista immuniteettia. Nämä puolustusmekanismit ovat todiste siitä, että taudeilla on ollut suuri merkitys yhteiskuntahyönteisten käyttäytymisen evoluutiossa. Toisaalta taudinaiheuttajien vaikutuksista synnynnäiseen immuunipuolustukseen tiedetään hyvin vähän. Väitöstutkimuksen ensisijainen kohde oli taudinaiheuttajien merkitys yhteiskuntahyönteisten synnynnäisen immuunipuolustuksen evoluutiossa. Tutkimuksessa tarkasteltiin, miten immuunijärjestelmän geenit ovat ajan mittaan muuttuneet. Tulokset osoittivat että muutoksia, jotka johtavat proteiinien aminohappojen vaihtumiseen on tapahtunut tiuhempaan tahtiin muurahaisilla ja mehiläisillä kuin yksittäin elävällä banaanikärpäsellä. Merkkejä erityisen voimakkaasta luonnonvalinnasta löydettiin kuitenkin yllättävän pienestä määrästä geenejä. Tämä voi johtua siitä, että käyttäytymiseen perustuvat puolustusmekanismit lieventävät taudinaiheuttajien vaikutusta synnynnäiseen immuunipuolustukseen. Väitöstutkimukseen sisältyi myös hyönteisten solunsisäisen bakteerin, Wolbachian, siirtymismekanismien kartoitus kekomuurahaisilla. Wolbachia on loinen, joka siirtyy yleensä äidiltä jälkeläisille munasolussa. Leviäminen voi tapahtua myös horisontaalisesti lajitoverien ja jopa eri lajien edustajien kesken. Geenisekvensseihin perustuvassa tutkimuksessa kaikista muurahaisista löytyi Wolbachia-bakteereja, ja samasta yksilöstä saattoi löytyä useaa eri bakteerikantaa. Koska muurahaislajien väliset geneettiset erot olivat paljon suurempia kuin erot niissä elävien bakteerien välillä, voitiin päätellä että bakteerien pääasiallinen leviämistapa tutkituilla muurahaisilla on ollut horisontaalinen

As plantas desenvolveram diferentes mecanismos para reduzir o ataque de insetos, incluindo compostos protéicos de defesa, como os inibidores de proteinases (IPs). Os insetos, ao longo da evolução, desenvolveram estratégias para superar as barreiras defensivas das plantas, permitindo a sua alimentação e desenvolvimento, como a super expressão de genes de enzimas digestivas sensíveis e insensíveis aos IPs de plantas. Uma das abordagens desse trabalho foi identificar novas serinoproteinases no intestino de lagartas de Spodoptera frugiperda. Duas novas quimotripsinas e trê novas tripsinas foram identificadas e juntamente com mais 10 genes já conhecidos que codificam estas enzimas foram submetidos à análise de expressão gênica por PCR em tempo real. Entre essas duas famílias de serinoproteinases (SPs) os genes que codificam as quimotripsinas apresentam uma regulação positiva mais ampla do que aqueles que codificam as tripsinas. Estudos de modelagem molecular das quimotripsinas também foram realizados. Foram construídos modelos tridimensionais à partir de modelagem por homologia além de análises de dinâmica molecular e docagem com oito diferentes IPs do tipo Bowman- Birk. Os resultados mostram quais quimotripsinas apresentam as maiores afinidades aos inibidores testados de maneira geral e individual, inferidos à partir da estimativa de energia livre do sistema. Também foi encontrada uma serina extra próxima ao sítio catalítico de três quimotrispsinas modeladas que pode interferir na afinidade dessas enzimas já que este aminoácido apresenta perda de área acessível ao solvente quando complexada ao IP de soja testado. Os resultados de expressão gênica e grau de sensibilidade foram comparados e não se observou qualquer relação entre esses parâmentros. Isso sugere que as lagartas da espécie S. frugiperda combinam diferentes estratégias adaptativas como o aumento de expressão de todas as suas quimotripsinas independentemente do grau de sensibilidade das enzimas.
Plants have developed different mechanisms to reduce insect attack, including defence proteins such as proteinase inhibitors (PIs). In turn, insects have evolved strategies to overcome these plant defence mechanisms, such as the hyperexpression of PI-sensitive and insensitive digestive enzymes, allowing the insect to thrive. One of the aims of this work was to identify new serine proteinases (SPs) in the gut of the fall armyworm larvae, Spodoptera frugiperda. Two new chymotrypsins and three new trypsins were identified, and together with 10 previously identified genes, the genes that encode these enzymes were subjected to real-time PCR and gene expression analysis. Between these two families of serine-proteinases the genes that encode chymotrypsins show a greater positive regulation then those encoding the trypsins. Molecular modelling studies of the chymotrypsins were carried out, and 3D models were generated using homology modelling, which were then further refined by dynamic molecular and docking analyses with 8 different Bowman-Birk type PIs. The results demonstrate which chymotrypsins possess the highest affinities to the tested inhibitors in a general and individual manner, inferred from the estimated free energies. A serine residue in very close proximity to the catalytic site was present in three of chymotrypsins investigated, which may be affecting the enzymes affinity since the residue has a reduced accessible area to the solvent when complexed to the soya PI tested. The genetic expression patterns and the degree of PI-sensitivity were also compared and no relation between the parameters was found. This suggests that the larvae of the species S. frugiperda combine different adaptive strategies like the increase in expression of its entire chymotrypsin arsenal regardless of the degree of PI-sensitivity of the enzymes.

Triatoma sordida é considerada de importância secundária no ciclo da Doença de Chagas humana, uma vez que vem ocupando o lugar de Triatoma infestans no peri-domicílio das casas. Triatoma costalimai é considerada uma espécie silvestre e endêmica do cerrado brasileiro. Recentemente tem ocorrido um aumento do número de invasões domiciliares por T. sordida e T. costalimai, devido ao impacto causado pelo homem no meio ambiente. Ambas as espécies já foram encontradas naturalmente infectadas por Trypanosoma cruzi e, portanto, contribuem para o ciclo antropozoótico da doença. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a variabilidade genética e morfológica dessas duas espécies, por morfometria geométrica alar e da cabeça e marcadores moleculares mitocondriais sendo T. sordida coletado nos estados de Mato Grosso do Sul (5 populações), Goiás (4 populações) e Minas Gerais (3 populações); e T. costalimai coletados nos estados da Bahia (1 população), Goiás (2 populações) e Minas Gerais (1 população). A hipótese Os resultados mostram que as populações de T. sordida encontram-se altamente estruturadas geneticamente, e que a morfologia alar apresenta uma heterogeneidade, o que permite concluir que mesmo estruturadas geneticamente, não há um processo de especiação ocorrendo para essa espécie. As populações de T. costalimai apresentam alta variabilidade morfológica do conexivo, embora as asas e cabeças apresentam certa similaridade entre as populações estudadas. Os marcadores genéticos indicam distinção entre espécimes que apresentam uma linha laranja continua no conexivo daqueles que apresentam manchas laranjas triangulares. As diferenças encontras sugerem que T. costalimai compreende duas subespécies, com diferenças morfológicas e cromáticas.
Triatoma sordida is considered of secondary importance in the cycle of Human Chagas Disease, since it has occupied the place of Triatoma infestans in the peri-domicile of the houses. Triatoma costalimai is a wild and endemic species of Brazilian cerrado. Recently there has been an increase in the number of home invasions by these species, due to the impact caused by man in the environment. Both species have already been found naturally infected by Trypanosoma cruzi and, therefore, contribute to the antropozootic cycle of the disease. The present work had as objective to verify the genetic and morphological variability of these two species, through the geometric morphometry of the head and mitochondrial molecular markers. The results show that the populations of T. sordida are highly structured genetically, and that the wing morphology shows heterogeneity in the wing shape, which allows to conclude that even if genetically structured, there is no speciation process occurring for this species. The populations of T. costalimai have high morphological variability of the connexivum, although the wings and heads present some similarity between the populations studied. Genetic markers indicate a distinction between specimens with a continuous orange line in the connexivum of those with triangular orange spots. The differences found suggest that T. costalimai comprises two subspecies, with morphological and chromatic differences.

A sophisticated evolutionary conserved innate immune system has evolved in insects to fight pathogens and to restrict damage in harmful (danger) situations including cancer. A significant amount of knowledge about different infection models in Drosophila has been generated in past decades, which revealed functional resemblances and implications for vertebrate systems. However, how Drosophila responds towards multicellular parasitic nematodes and in danger situations is still little understood. Therefore, the aim of the thesis was to characterize multiple aspects of the host defense in the two important contexts mentioned above. We analyzed the transcriptome profiles of nematode-infected Drosophila larvae with uninfected samples. For this we employed the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora with its symbiont Photorhabdus luminescence to infect Drosophila larvae. We found 642 genes were differentially regulated upon infection. Among them a significant portion belonged to immune categories. Further functional analysis identified a thioester containing protein TEP3, a recognition protein GNBP-like 3, the basement membrane component protein Glutactin and several other small peptides. Upon loss or reduced expression of these genes hosts showed mortality during nematode infections. This study uncovers a novel function for several of the genes in immunity. Furthermore, we investigated the cellular response towards nematodes. When we eliminated hemocytes genetically (referred to as hml-apo) in Drosophila, we found hml-apo larvae are resistant to nematodes. Subsequent characterization of hml-apo larvae showed massive lamellocyte differentiation (another blood cell type which is rare in naïve larvae), emergence of melanotic masses, up- and down-regulation of Toll and Imd signaling respectively suggesting a pro-inflammatory response. Moreover, a striking defective leg phenotype in adult escapers from pupal lethality was observed. We identified nitric oxide (NO) as a key regulator of these processes. We also showed that imaginal disc growth factors 3 (IDGF3): (a) protects hosts against nematodes, (b) is a clotting component and (c) negatively regulates Wnt and JAK/STAT signaling. To follow larval behavior in the presence or absence of nematodes we monitored Drosophila larval locomotion behaviors using FIMtrack (a recently devised automated method) to elucidate evasive strategies of hosts. Finally, we characterized host defenses in three Drosophila leukemia models with and without nematode infection. Taken together, these studies shed light on host responses in two crucial circumstances, nematode infections and danger situations.

At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: Manuscript. Paper 3: Manuscript.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2016.
The entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have emerged as an important group of insect pests. The EPNs which comprise the Steinernema genus share symbiotic associations with Xenorhabdus bacteria. This research project focused on isolating and characterizing a novel and indigenous EPN isolate with its associated bacteria. The biological control potential of the nematode was investigated in the areas of host infectivity, infective juvenile recovery and progeny yield. These processes were investigated at three different factors. These included time, population size and temperature. The infectious abilities of the symbiotic bacteria were also evaluated without the contributions of the nematode partner at different bacterial doses, time intervals and temperature regimens. The genome of the bacteria was thereafter acquired through whole-genome sequencing and annotation techniques to elucidate the virulence mechanisms and genes involved in temperature adaptation. The species isolated in this investigation was novel. The species shared an 85 % maximum identity to and taxonomically grouped with the species Steinernema khoisanae. The two species shared a common ancestor but the extended branch length of the species under investigation substantiated its novelty. The EPNs infected hosts at different time intervals, population densities and temperature regimens. However, the EPNs performed these processes to different extents. Host mortality significantly increased with time. The EPNs also infected insect hosts at the two experimental temperatures. However, host mortality was higher at the temperature regimen of 20° C and lower at 30° C. Host infections were not significantly different at two tested population densities of 500 and 1000 infective juveniles. The levels of interaction between temperature and time and temperature population density were not statistically significant. The subsequent biological process of recovery was evaluated. The EPNs recovered at both population densities and temperature regimens. The infective juvenile recoveries were statistically insignificant at both population densities and temperature regimens. Since recovery was based on the mere presence of progeny infective juveniles, the percentages were high which contributed to the statistical insignificant findings. This also contributed to the non-significant interaction between population density and temperature. The last biological process investigated was the progeny yield of infective juveniles. The yields were significantly different between both population densities of infective juveniles and temperature regimens. Higher yields were obtained at the temperature regimen of 20° C and 25° C. Lower yields were obtained at 30° C. The unexpected finding was higher progeny yields obtained from the lower population densities of infective juveniles. This contributed to the significant interaction present between population density and temperature. The bacteria were thereafter molecularly characterized. The symbiotic bacteria shared a 99 % sequence similarity to the species Xenorhabdus sp. strain GDc328. It was interesting to observe the infectious abilities of the bacteria without contributions from the EPNs. This study was measured at different bacterial doses, time intervals and temperature regimens. Host mortality was achieved without contributions from the EPN. Host mortality significantly increased with bacterial dose and time. Host mortality was also significantly different between each temperature regimen. Higher mortalities were observed at 30° C and lower mortalities were observed at 20° C. The differences in the performance between the EPN-bacterial partnership and the bacteria alone were attributed to the manner in which adaptation occurred. Since the EPN-bacteria existed as a bi-partite entity, the partners evolved as a bi-partite complex. The bacteria were removed from the symbiosis and cultured individually. External factors may have re-shaped the performance of the bacteria at the different temperature regimens. To further understand the genetic mechanisms of temperature adaptation, host infectivity and symbiosis, the draft whole genome sequence of the bacteria was then acquired. The genome of the bacteria comprised several genes which encoded the flagella system of the bacteria. Also pairs of co-localized toxin-antitoxin genes were discovered. Temperature acclimatization was performed through different cold and heat shock proteins and lastly several molecular chaperones. The studies showed that the species Steinernema spp. and its associated symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus sp. strain GDc328 were good bio-pesticide candidates for application against endemic insect pests.
LG2017

Bibliography: leaves 108-128.
ix, 128, [10] leaves, [32] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm.
Maternal protein secretions from the parthenogenetic endoparasitoid wasp Venturia canescens Gravenhorst (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) were analysed regarding their ability to protect the parasitoid egg against the host immune system. These secretions include nucleic acid-free glycoproteins, called virus-like particles (VLPs) that are produced in the ovarian calyx gland. Results found that VLP-free calyx fluid has the ability to actively suppress host defence reactions, rather than VLPs on the egg surface being solely responsible for the protection of the egg. It was shown the VLP-free calyx fluid contains serine protease-inhibitor activity capable of transiently inhibiting melanogenisis and hemocyte spreading in the host. This indicates that immediately after oviposition the egg surface is not fully protected against host defence reactions. However, at later stages the egg seems to have acquired an immunologically inert surface, and is therefore protected after the suppressive activity of the calyx fluid has disappeared.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Crop Protection, 1999

Altruism is defined as a trait in an individual that increases some other individual’s fitness at the expense of her own. Therefore, existence of such traits in a population is an evolutionary paradox, as natural selection should eliminate such a trait. Extreme altruism in the form of eusociality where individuals relinquish their own reproduction to help raise other’s offspring has been an enigma in evolutionary biology since Darwin. Primitively eusocial organisms provide one with a unique system to study the evolution and maintenance of altruism as in these kind of species most of the individuals are capable of developing their reproductive organs, although at a certain point in time, only one or a few individuals actually reproduce. Ropalidia marginata is a primitively eusocial wasp belonging to the insect order Hymenoptera, Family Vespidae. R. marginata colonies are monogynous, although serial polygyny is observed in a colony’s lifetime. Colony initiation happens either by single founding or multiple founding. Newly founded colonies may accept individuals from other colonies, but mature colonies seldom do. Production of males is irregular, and once eclosed, they generally leave their natal nest within a week. The haplodiploidy of Hymenopteran species, i.e. the males being haploid and the females diploid, make them uniquely genetically predisposed for eusociality to evolve as was shown by William Donald Hamilton in his kin selection theory. Primitvely eusocial Hymenopteran species, being susceptible to experimental manipulation, allows one to test the predictions of this theory. In this thesis I have addressed three aspects of the biology of R. marginata using microsatellite markers, which are the following: 1) Distribution of nestmate genetic relatedness in early founding (pre‐emergence) and mature ( post‐emergence colonies) and their comparison (Chapter 3) 2) Role of relatedness and fertility in predicting the queen’s successor (Chapter 4) 3) Genetic structure of populations (Chapter 5) CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION: This chapter gives a brief outline of the field of molecular ecology putting its techniques to the context of insect sociobiology. CHAPTER 2. METHODS: This chapter gives a general outline of the molecular genetic methods involved. In addition, the issue of the mutation process in R. marginata microsatellites has also been addressed. There are two main models of mutation for microsatellite evolution i.e. infinite alleles model (IAM) and the step‐wise mutation model (SMM). To understand the actual process of mutation in R. marginata, sets of alleles with continuous sizes were sequenced and aligned. This was repeated for several of the loci. Seven out of the nine loci genotyped revealed clear step‐like mutation pattern and was binned accordingly. Two loci were dropped as the actual nature of step‐sizes in these two loci was unclear. Therefore, the final dataset consisted of genotype for 7 loci. This chapter also discusses the initial steps in data formatting and analysis. CHAPTER 3. GENETIC RELATEDNESS IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF COLONY DEVELOPMENT: In this chapter I have estimated nestmate genetic relatedness using seven polymorphic microsatellite loci in two different stages of colony development of the primitively eusocial wasp Ropalidiamarginata and compared them. In both kinds of nests the average colony relatedness was observed to be less than 0.75, i.e., what is expected for full sib females in Hymenoptera. Moreover, it was observed that the nestmates at the initial colony founding stage are on average less related to each other than in mature colonies. From this, one may postulate that the indirect component of inclusive fitness plays a relatively minor role than its direct component as individuals chose to leave a higher relatedness background in favour of a lower relatedness background. As newly founded colonies are relatively smaller in size than mature colonies, the probability of an individual wasp becoming the queen in this kind of colony is higher than in mature colonies. CHAPTER 4. TESTING THE ROLE OF RELATEDNESS AND FERTILITY IN PREDICTING THE QUEEN’S SUCCESSORS: R. marginata colonies are headed by docile queens. When this queen dies or is removed, one of the workers becomes extremely aggressive. She is known as the potential queen because within a few days she becomes the new queen of the colony and her aggression comes down. Predicting the successor in the presence of the queen has eluded most of the approaches attempted so far. The probability of an individual becoming the queen has been found to be uncorrelated with her body size, aggression, ovarian status or mating status. The only trend that has been observed till date, is a positive correlation with age, but the pattern is not perfect. However, the workers themselves seem to be perfectly aware of who their immediate successor going to be. In this chapter, I have tested several models of queen succession constructed in an inclusive fitness framework. These models have been tested both using relatedness alone as well as using fertility along with relatedness. Predictions of none of the models actually matched the observed sequence of successors. The wasps do not seem to be choosing their successor to maximize their inclusive fitness. CHAPTER 5. GENETIC STRUCTURE OF NATURAL POPULATIONS: I have also looked at the genetic structure of R. marginata populations in a large part of its natural distribution. I have used both F and R statistics to estimate the level of structuring and compared them. Both Fat as well Rst were found to be significantly larger than 0. Also Fis and Ris both were small and not significant suggesting lack of inbreeding. Rst was observed to be higher than Fst. Permutation test revealed a higher contribution of mutation in this structuring than migration, suggesting Rst to be a better measure of genetic structuring in this case. Similar pattern was observed with Anlysis of MOlecular VAriance. Pairwise Fst/(1‐Fst) values were found to be uncorrelated with distance, whereas barely significant trend was observed with Rst/(1‐Rst). The scatter across the trend line in both the cases suggested lack of migration drift equilibrium, with drift being more relative to migration. Higher level of structuring was observed at the level of the colony. However, colonies were rather outbred as was suggested by high and negative values of Fia and Ria values. This is not at all surprising as nestmates are related to each other. The pattern of isolation by distance at the colony level was similar to that observed in case of the populations. However, there was even higher degree of scattering of the individual points in this case. CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSIONS: Hamilton’s inclusive fitness theory has received a wide attention from and acceptance by sociobiologists, and relatedness have been measured in a wide variety of social insects. In this thesis relatedness in the context of colony founding was measured and compared with mature colonies. Also, several models constructed in an inclusive theory framework were experimentally tested. In both, support for indirect fitness was found wanting. The population genetic structure of R. marginata revealed that the sub populations are small in size and migration among them low. It also suggested significant contribution of colony level structuring on the population genetic structuring. Using more modern molecular genetic and statistical techniques, these and similar other questions can be addressed with higher precision and rigour, and such studies are expected to greatly advance our understanding of the basic premise of this thesis, i.e., how can eusociality evolve and be maintained? We hope that the current work will encourage others to ask such questions in other species.

Part 1: Visitation of potential pollinators to Cornus florida and C. kousa flowers was assessed in East Tennessee in 2008 and 2009. Data regarding insect visitation rates to multiple trees per location were gathered throughout the flowering period. Diurnal and seasonal variations in visitation were recorded. Pollen coverage was assessed on portions of captured insect exoskeletons that were most likely to contact the stigma. Eleven families in four insect orders were collected from C. florida and 26 families in five orders from C. kousa. The most important pollinators in eastern Tennessee were bees in the Andrenidae and Halictidae. The most common visitors to C. kousa flowers were scarab, cerambycid and cantharid beetles. Halictid bees were also frequent visitors to C. kousa.Part 2: Dispersion of flowering dogwood pollen in an orchard was evaluated by performing parentage analysis on open pollinated seedlings collected from a single maternal tree. Pollen source for 45 seedling trees were established using three polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. The expected leptokurtic distribution was not seen. Although the majority of paternal trees were within the 12 m radius of the study area, the trees most likely to donate pollen were some of the furthest away. Unusual pollen movement may be a product of lack of synchronization of flowering times between the mother tree and potential pollen donors in the area. Additionally relative proportions of certain pollinating insects (andrenid and halictid bees) may have moved pollen further than expected.Appendix 1: Pollen from 6 species in the genus Cornus was analyzed with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy to determine the utility of this tool to identify pollen grains to species. Although there were differences visible in the spectra, principal components analysis coupled with cluster analysis could not consistently identify pollen grains.Appendix 2: Floral volatile emissions from 6 species of Cornus were collected in a headspace chamber and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine if differences between emitted volatiles of C. florida and C. kousa explain differences in floral insect visitation. The relationship between floral volatile emission and the phylogeny of Cornus was also examined.

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA) (Diuraphis noxia Kurdjumov) is one of the important insect pests of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and other grasses. To date, there are four RWA biotypes identified in South Africa. The virulent biotypes emerged, partly due to climate change and new genetic variations within populations of RWA; hence there is a need to improve host-plant resistance, as an effective control measure. Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) accession Cereal Introduction (CItr) 2401 is known to be resistant to all RWA biotypes worldwide. The goal of this study was to use a backcrossed near-isogenic line (NIL) BC5F5 mapping population, developed from a cross between CItr 2401 and susceptible Kavkaz, to identify and validate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers linked to the resistance phenotype in CItr 2401. This was achieved by (i) conducting a preliminary study that evaluated the suitability of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers previously reported in literature for discriminating stacked RWA resistance genes and, (ii) employing SNP markers for the first time in a RWA resistance study as a future alternative to the widely used SSR markers. None of the tested SSR markers showed potential use in marker-assisted selection (MAS). The mapping population was phenotypically evaluated for RWA resistance using the four South African biotypes, viz. RWASA1, RWASA2, RWASA3 and RWASA4. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant (P<0.001) differences of genotypes after confirming the normality of residuals and homogeneity of variance. The Illumina iSelect 9,000 wheat SNP platform was used to genotype the two crossing parents and a selection of 24 NIL genotypes from the mapping population. Eight SNP markers found to be linked to the phenotype were converted to breeder-friendly and high-throughput Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) markers. The designed KASP markers were validated on the two crossing parents, the 24 NIL sent for SNP genotyping, on the mapping population and on the preliminary study genotypes for their effectiveness. The KASP assays developed in this study will be useful for stacking the RWA resistance from CItr 2401 with other Dn genes effective against the RWA.
Life and Consumer Sciences
M. Sc. (Life Sciences)