Applied Entomology and Zoology (1997) 32, 491-499

Yasuki Kitashima and Tetsuo Gotoh (1997)
Genetic control of albinism in Panonychus osmanthi EHARA et GOTOH (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Applied Entomology and Zoology 32 (3), 491-499
Abstract: Three albino females were discovered in a field population of Panonychus osmanthi, the albinism being a result of spontaneous mutation. To determine the genetic control of the albinism, standard genetic crosses were conducted. Apparently the albinism was recessive to the normal pigmented trait and was under monogenic control. Albino mites with reddish eye-spots were obtained when pigmented hybrid females obtained from crosses between the albino and normal strains were either kept virgin or mated to males with various phenotypes. The eye-spots of albino females were not passed on to the next generation irrespective of the male phenotype. These results suggested that some pigment precursor possessed by pigmented females is responsible for the appearance of the eye-spots. Hybrid females resulted in a reduction in hatchability in F₂ eggs and a distortion of the female : male ratio. These phenomena might be explained in terms of the difference in mortality between haploid and diploid eggs: i.e., crosses between hybrid females and pure albino males without eye-spots resulted in the death of about 50% of both haploid and diploid eggs, whereas crosses between hybrid females and either normal males or eye-spotted albino males resulted in the death of about 50% of haploid eggs but did not cause the death of diploid eggs.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Tetsuo Gotoh

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Panonychus osmanthi		Japan