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Data from: Endosymbiont load dictates reproductive fate: Experimental validation for the bacterial dosage model in a parthenogenetic weevil (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Fernandez Goya, L.1; da Cruz Cabral, L.2; Scannapieco, A. C.34; Confalonieri, V. A.21; Lanteri, A. A.56; Rodriguero, M. S.12

Published Feb 02, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.tdz08kqc6

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Abstract

The main focus of this work was testing the bacterial dosage model, i.e., that a threshold density of Wolbachia and/or Rickettsia sp. is required for parthenogenetic reproduction. Through tetracycline-curing experiments coupled with bacterial density quantification by real-time PCR, we analysed the quantitative relationship between symbiont density and reproductive outcomes in parthenogenetic Pantomorus postfasciatus females. Additionally, we controlled antibiotic side-effects by analysing i) tissue specific effects; ii) feeding behaviour; and iii) repeating experiments with sexually reproducing populations. We include data on clutch size (amount of eggs laid per female per laying bout) and viability (proportion of hatched eggs per clutch) for sexually reproducing and parthenogenetic females during a 20-day period, relative qPCR quantification as a proxy of Wolbachia and Rickettsia sp. density for whole insects and several tissues, and average area of consumed leaves. Master R script for model fitting (three-parameter log-logistic model (Hill-type) and generalized linear mixed models) is also deposited. This work highlights bacterial density as a key determinant of parthenogenetic reproduction of P. postfasciatus.