reproductive potential of parthenogenetic Bemisia tabaci with different bacterial endosymbionts Raina Harpreet Singh2, Daimei Guisuibou1, Rajagopal Raman1,* 1Gut Biology Lab, Room no. 117, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007 2Department of Zoology, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Univ. of Delhi *Corresponding author Email: zoorajagopal@gmail.com
Online published on 23 October, 2018. Abstract Bemisia tabaci is a polyphagous agricultural pest and it has varied genetic groups harboring different bacterial endosymbionts. Many studies had revealed the reproductive potential of B. tabaci with different endosymbionts. But a comparative study showing the effects of endosymbionts on parthenogenetically reproducing (without mating) whiteflies resulting in only male progenies have not been conducted. This study evaluates the role of a secondary endosymbionts Arsenophonus on the life parameters of parthenogenetically reproducing Asia II genetic group with and without Arsenophonus (A+ and A). The results revealed that A females had increased fecundity and nymphal developmental time and longevity. Thus, it is demonstrated that parthenogenetically reproducing A+ whiteflies have lesser fitness as compared to Awhiteflies. Top Keywords Bemisia tabaci, Asia II-1, parthenogenesis, Arsenophonus, positive and negative, PCR, life parameters, fecundity, nymphal development, longevity, fitness. Top |