Wednesday, 20 November 2002
D0615

This presentation is part of : Display Presentations, Subsection Cf. Quantitative Ecology

Variation in predator-prey dynamics based on genetic differences between predators

David C. Margolies and Fengyou Jia. Kansas State University, Department of Entomology, 123 West Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS

Abstract. Inbred lines of a predatory mite (Phytoseiulus persimilis) were established, and maintained for 15 generations. of 16 inbred lines were examined individually in small vials. Substantial phenotypic variation in consumption and oviposition were detected among 16 inbred lines, most of which could be attributed to genetic differences. The performances of two of these inbred lines (Line 4 , exhibiting low rates of consumption and oviposition, and Line 21, which showed high rates) were examined for a two-week period interacting with populations of their prey, the twospotted spider mite, in a greenhouse. In the first week of the interaction, numbers of adult prey decreased while adult predators increased in all treatment combination. Subsequent dynamics of the two lines differed depending on the presentation of herbivore-induced plant volatiles. Upwind from plants producing such volatiles, there were significant differences between lines in the dynamics of the predators and their prey, there being higher numbers of both predators and prey where Line 4 was used than were Line 21 was introduced. However, downwind from plants producing these volatiles we found the reverse; significantly more predatory mites from line 21 were found than Line 4, but there were no differences in prey numbers.

Keywords: predators

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