Evol Ecol Res 10: 1007-1023 (2008)     Full PDF if your library subscribes.

Genetic variation in the primary sex ratio in populations of the intertidal copepod, Tigriopus californicus, is widespread on Vancouver Island

Maarten J. Voordouw¹, Gabe Stebbins¹, H. Eve Robinson¹, Marie-Jeanne Perrot-Minnot², Thierry Rigaud² and Bradley R. Anholt¹

¹Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and ²BioGéosciences, Equipe Ecologie Evolutive, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France

Correspondence: M.J. Voordouw, Department of Biology, University of Victoria, PO Box 3020, Victoria, BC V8W 3N5, Canada.
e-mail: mjvoordouw@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Hypothesis: Genetic variation for the primary sex ratio is widespread in a copepod with polygenic sex determination. Cytoplasmic sex ratio distorters (e.g. Wolbachia and microsporidians) influence the primary sex ratio in this copepod.

Organism: The intertidal copepod, Tigriopus californicus; six populations from Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Study site: Quantitative genetics experiment in the laboratory. PCR and antibiotics experiment to test for the presence of cytoplasmic sex ratio distorters.

Results: Genetic variation for the primary sex ratio was found in five of the six populations surveyed. The primary sex ratio was paternally transmitted. There was no evidence that Wolbachia or microsporidians influenced the primary sex ratio of T. californicus.

Keywords: copepod, cytoplasmic feminizers, cytoplasmic sex ratio distorters, heritability, microsporidia, polygenic sex determination, primary sex ratio, Rifampin, Tigriopus californicus, Wolbachia.

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