Aggregation behavior and reproductive compatibility in the family Cimicidae

作者：DeVries Zachary^*; Mick Russell; Balvin Ondrej; Schal Coby

来源：Scientific Reports, 2017, 7(1): 13163.

DOI：10.1038/s41598-017-12735-3

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) provide a unique opportunity to understand speciation and host-associated divergence in parasites. Recently, two sympatric but genetically distinct lineages of C. lectularius were identified: one associated with humans and one associated with bats. We investigated two mechanisms that could maintain genetic differentiation in the field: reproductive compatibility (via mating crosses) and aggregation fidelity (via two-choice sheltering assays). Effects were assessed at the intra-lineage level (within human-associated bed bugs), inter-lineage level (between human-and bat-associated bed bugs), and inter-species level (between C. lectularius and Cimex pipistrelli [bat bug]). Contrary to previous reports, bed bugs were found to be reproductively compatible at both the intra-and inter-lineage levels, but not at the inter-species level (although three hybrids were produced, one of which developed into an adult). Lineage-and species-specific aggregation fidelity was only detected in 8% (4 out of 48) of the aggregation fidelity assays run. These results indicate that under laboratory conditions, host-associated lineages of bed bugs are reproductively compatible, and aggregation pheromones are not capable of preventing gene flow between lineages.

• 出版日期2017-10-13