Evolutionary conservatism of geographic variation in host preference in Callosobruchus maculatus

摘要: .  1. A study of host preference four pairs populations the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculates was carried out. The had different geographical origins. 2. One population each pair been maintained for about 110 generations on Vigna unguiculata, other mung bean V. radiata. Half tested females from were raised and exposed to this prior assay; half bean. This design permitted assessment relative contributions origin, recent use in laboratory, individual experience, variation preference. 3. Host assayed by letting oviposit an equal-weight mixture seeds; two experiments performed six apart. 4. Both revealed a strong effect origin: originating Nigeria laid much greater proportion (68–86%) their eggs than those Uganda Yemen (30–42%); Cameroon intermediate (56–60%). These preferences not affected consistently laboratory evolution one or host, experience females. 5. These results indicate considerable preference, suggest that is behaviourally inflexible evolutionarily conserved.