Gallophilous theory of cyclical parthenogenesis in aphids (Homoptera, Aphidinea)

By

Gavrilov-Zimin, Ilya

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

Comparative cytogenetics : international journal of plant & animal cytogenetics, karyosystematics and molecular systematics

Volume

18

Pages

247--276

Subjects

Adelgidae , Eriosomatidae , Evolution , galls , oviparity , Pemphigidae , Phylloxeridae , unisexual (virgin) reproduction , viviparity

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

St. Petersburg, Russia [Published] with technical support of Zoological Institute RAS [2007]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/compcytogen.18.136095

 

Abstract

The paper elaborates theoretical basis of the origin of aphid cyclical parthenogenesis in view of the original life of these insects in strobiloid galls on Picea spp. The period of gall opening is greatly extended in time, which prevents normal panmixia and creates a selective advantage for parthenogenetic reproduction. Migration of aphids to secondary host plants, on which closed galls never form, parthenogenetic reproduction on these plants, and the subsequent simultaneous return of “remigrants” to the main host plant make it possible to synchronize the development of the bisexual generation and achieve mass panmixia at the end of the life cycle only; it coincides with the end of summer growth shoots or the autumn end of the vegetation period as a whole. The evolutionary transition of aphids from conifers to angiosperms in the Cretaceous period in parallel meant the possibility of development in more spacious galls accommodating several consecutive parthenogenetic generations, the transition to viviparity and telescopic embryonization, significantly accelerating the propagation.