In search for genes associate to fecundity- and dispersal-related traits in a parasitoid wasp

Mastrus ridens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is an important parasitoid of codling moth (Cydia pomonella). Knowing the genes associated with fecundity and dispersal would be advantageous for a breeding program aimed to generate populations with improved characteristics. We obtained a de novo transcriptome from four selected lines differing in fecundity and dispersal traits, and compared pairs of lines with contrasting values, for one or both traits. Total RNA was obtained from the ovaries of 5 females per line in triplicate, and was sequenced by Illumina Hiseq. The reads were de novo assembled using Trinity software, obtaining a total of 104,742 genes and a total of 170,603 transcripts. Samples adequately correlated with the lines triplicates, and several genes were differentially expressed among lines. More differences (361 transcripts) were found when comparing an endogamic line with an exogamic line that had contrasting traits values for both traits. The least differences (115 transcripts) were found between two exogamic lines with contrasting values in dispersal. There was a large number of differentially expressed transcripts that had no homology against non-redundant nucleotide sequences databases, which deserves further studies. From this ovarian transcriptome, we will be able to develop studies to unveil molecular bases of reproduction in this species and correlate it with essential traits such as fecundity.