Genetic variation in three subspecies of Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.). I. Morphometric traits

Abstract

Samples of three subspecies of Melanoplus sanguinipes (M. s. sanguinipes, M. s. vulturnus, and M. s. defectus), raised under the same laboratory conditions, differ significantly in a number of morphometric traits. The heritable nature of these differences was explored by performing intersubspecific crosses, hybrid crosses, and backcrosses. On the whole, the genetics underlying each trait was complex, with the presence or absence of heterosis, of genic interaction, and of maternal effects being dependent on the strains compared and the sex of the insects. Key words: Melanoplus sanguinipes, Acrididae, quantitative genetics, morphometric traits.