Genetic variation and the ability to colonise new niches in the flour beetle tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (coleoptera, tenebrionidae)

Abstract

A genetically-heterogeneous synthetic strain of the flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Tenebrionidae) survived better than the laboratory strains used in its synthesis on 10 of 12 different diets. This advantage was not expressed in the optimal, standard wheat flour diet. Moreover, the synthetic strain survived on 12 diets, while most of the laboratory strains survived on 8 or less. The food medium is an entire ecological habitat for flour beetles. The results thus illustrate the better colonising ability and superior potential for evolutionary success of genetically-heterogeneous populations. © 1986 The Genetical Society of Great Britain.