Using a biological control operation to approach demogenetic dynamics of invasive populations – BICORAMICS
Biological control and biological invasions involve the same evolutionary processes and differ only in that the introduction of population is either planned and beneficial or fortuitous and noxious. This project aims at using a biological control operation against the invasive mealybug Pseudococcus comstocki (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae) to approach experimentally the installation mechanisms in introduced populations of
biocontrol agents. The first part of the project will study, under controlled conditions, the effects of initial size and genetic diversity of introduced
populations on their probability of establishment, their demogenetic dynamics and the evolution of their phenotypic traits. The second part will
investigate the post-release evolution (genetic and phenotypic modifications) of biocontrol agent populations released in the field, by comparing them to initial pre-release populations and other populations maintained in controlled conditions for the same amount of generations.
Project coordination
Thibaut MALAUSA (INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE - CENTRE DE RECHERCHE DE SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS) – tmalausa@sophia.inra.fr
The author of this summary is the project coordinator, who is responsible for the content of this summary. The ANR declines any responsibility as for its contents.
Partner
IBSV INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE - CENTRE DE RECHERCHE DE SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS
Help of the ANR 189,998 euros
Beginning and duration of the scientific project:
- 48 Months
