We sequenced the complete genomes of a sexual and an asexual lineage of this parasitoid wasp. The latter are asexual because they are infected by a parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia bacterium. This infection became established roughly 100,000 years ago. The comparison of the two genomes provides insight into the genomic consequences of asexual reproduction. In particular, we are interested in the accumulation of mutations and the associated decay of genes in asexuals.
Ongoing work includes:
- analysis of the genomes of several independent strains that were sequenced as part of course-embedded research at the University of Applied Sciences Leiden
- characterization of the sex determination genes by the Evolutionary Genetics Department of the University of Groningen
Publications
- Geuverink E, Kraaijeveld K, van Leussen M, Chena F, Pijpe J, Linskens MHK, Beukeboom LW, van de Zande L 2018 Evidence for involvement of a transformer paralog in sex determination of the wasp Leptopilina clavipes. Insect Molecular Biology 27: 78-795
- Kraaijeveld K, Anvar Y, Frank J, Schmitz A, Bast J, Wilbrandt J, Petersen M, Ziesmann T, Niehuis O, de Knijff P, den Dunnen JT, Ellers J 2016 Decay of sexual trait genes in an asexual parasitoid wasp. Genome Biology and Evolution 8:3685-3995.
- Kraaijeveld K, Zwanenburg B, Hubert B, Vieira C, de Pater S, van Alphen JJM, den Dunnen JT & de Knijff P 2012 Transposon proliferation in an asexual wasp. Molecular Ecology 21: 3898-3906.
- Kraaijeveld K, Franco P, de Knijff P, Stouthamer R & van Alphen JJM 2011 Clonal genetic variation in a Wolbachia-infected asexual wasp: horizontal transmission or historical sex? Molecular Ecology 20: 3644-3652.
- Kraaijeveld K., Franco P., Reumer B.M. & van Alphen J.J.M. 2009 Effects of parthenogenesis and geographic isolation on female sexual traits in a parasitoid wasp. Evolution 63: 3085-3096.
- Reumer B., Kraaijeveld K. & van Alphen J.J.M. 2007 Selection in the absence of males does not affect male-female conflict in the parasitoid wasp Leptopilina clavipes (Hymenoptera: Figitidae). Journal of Insect Physiology 53: 994-999.