›› 2000, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (1): 52-57.

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Performances and reproductive isolation of different populations of Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) on conifer and broadleaf trees

SUN Xu-gen, XU Chang-qing, ZHOU Cheng-gang3, YIN Shu-yan3, ZHEN Wen-quan   

  • Online:2000-02-20 Published:2000-02-20

Abstract: This paper deals with the growth, survival, fecundity and reproductive isolation of four Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) populations from different forest regions on conifer and broadleaf trees. Rearing experiments showed that the population on the conifer Cunninghamia lanceolata failed to completeits life history when raised on the broadleaf trees Castanea mollissima and Ouercus acutissima. And all individuals of the populations from broadleaf trees died at nymphal stage when reared on conifers such as C. Lanceolata, Pinus thunbergii and P. Firma etc. Reciprocal cross tests between the populations showed that the adults originated from the population on the conifer and those from populations on the broadleaf trees did mate, but the females either did not oviposit at all or laid unfertilized eggs which only produced male nymphs, indicating the existence of reproductive isolation. These results suggest that the Oligonychus ununguis populations on conifer and broadleaf trees might consist of two different species, but not one common species as usually considered.

Key words: Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi), population, conifer, broadleaf trees, reproductive isola-tion