Mapping of Hybrid Incompatibility Loci in Nasonia

Corresponding author: Jürgen Gadau, Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie und Soziobiologie, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany., jgadau{at}biozentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de (E-mail)

Communicating editor: C.-I WU

According to theory, F₂ hybrid breakdown (lethality or sterility) is due to incompatibilities between interacting genes of the different species (i.e., the breaking up of coadapted gene complexes). Detection of such incompatibilities is particularly straightforward in haplodiploid species, because virgin F₁ hybrid females will produce haploid recombinant F₂ males. This feature allows for screening of the complete genome for recessive genetic incompatibilities. Crosses were performed between Nasonia vitripennis (v) and its sibling species N. giraulti (g). First, a linkage map was produced using RAPD markers. RAPD markers showed an overall bias toward vitripennis alleles, a pattern not predicted by the basic two-interactor Dobzhansky-Muller model. Recovery patterns of visible markers were consistent with those of linked RAPD markers. If particular genetic interactions between two loci are causing hybrid lethality, then those genotypes should be underrepresented or absent among adult F₂ males. Four sets of significant incompatibilities were detected by performing pairwise comparisons of markers on different chromosomes. Likely explanations for the observed patterns are maternal effect-zygotic gene incompatibilities or clustering of incompatibility loci. Due to the short generation time, advantages of haplodiploidy, and availability of markers, Nasonia promises to be a productive system for investigating the genetics of hybrid inviability.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				O. Niehuis, A. K. Judson, and J. Gadau Cytonuclear Genic Incompatibilities Cause Increased Mortality in Male F2 Hybrids of Nasonia giraulti and N. vitripennis Genetics, January 1, 2008; 178(1): 413 - 426. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Oka, T. Aoto, Y. Totsuka, R. Takahashi, M. Ueda, A. Mita, N. Sakurai-Yamatani, H. Yamamoto, S. Kuriki, N. Takagi, et al. Disruption of Genetic Interaction Between Two Autosomal Regions and the X Chromosome Causes Reproductive Isolation Between Mouse Strains Derived From Different Subspecies Genetics, January 1, 2007; 175(1): 185 - 197. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Beye, I. Gattermeier, M. Hasselmann, T. Gempe, M. Schioett, J. F. Baines, D. Schlipalius, F. Mougel, C. Emore, O. Rueppell, et al. Exceptionally high levels of recombination across the honey bee genome Genome Res., November 1, 2006; 16(11): 1339 - 1344. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. A. Pannebakker, L. W. Beukeboom, J. J. M. van Alphen, P. M. Brakefield, and B. J. Zwaan The Genetic Basis of Male Fertility in Relation to Haplodiploid Reproduction in Leptopilina clavipes (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) Genetics, September 1, 2004; 168(1): 341 - 349. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Solignac, D. Vautrin, E. Baudry, F. Mougel, A. Loiseau, and J.-M. Cornuet A Microsatellite-Based Linkage Map of the Honeybee, Apis mellifera L. Genetics, May 1, 2004; 167(1): 253 - 262. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. M. Parsons and K. L. Shaw Mapping Unexplored Genomes: A Genetic Linkage Map of the Hawaiian Cricket Laupala Genetics, November 1, 2002; 162(3): 1275 - 1282. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Gadau, R. E. Page, and J. H. Werren The Genetic Basis of the Interspecific Differences in Wing Size in Nasonia (Hymenoptera; Pteromalidae): Major Quantitative Trait Loci and Epistasis Genetics, June 1, 2002; 161(2): 673 - 684. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. E. Page Jr., J. Gadau, and M. Beye The Emergence of Hymenopteran Genetics Genetics, February 1, 2002; 160(2): 375 - 379. [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Harushima, M. Nakagahra, M. Yano, T. Sasaki, and N. Kurata A Genome-Wide Survey of Reproductive Barriers in an Intraspecific Hybrid Genetics, October 1, 2001; 159(2): 883 - 892. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Pultz, K. K. Zimmerman, N. M. Alto, M. Kaeberlein, S. K. Lange, J. N. Pitt, N. L. Reeves, and D. L. Zehrung A Genetic Screen for Zygotic Embryonic Lethal Mutations Affecting Cuticular Morphology in the Wasp Nasonia vitripennis Genetics, March 1, 2000; 154(3): 1213 - 1229. [Abstract] [Full Text]