A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Phenotypic plasticity of common wasps in an industrially polluted environment in southwestern Finland




AuthorsBadejo Oluwatobi, Skaldina Oksana, Peräniemi Sirpa, Carrasco‐Navarro Victor, Sorvari Jouni

PublisherMDPI

Publication year2021

JournalInsects

Journal name in sourceInsects

Article number888

Volume12

Issue10

eISSN2075-4450

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/insects12100888

Web address https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/10/888

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/67621741


Abstract

Insects vary in the degree of their adaptability to environmental contamination. Determining the responses with phenotypic plasticity in ecologically important species in polluted environments will ease further conservation and control actions. Here, we investigated morphological characteristics such as body size, body mass, and color of the common wasp Vespula vulgaris in an industrially polluted environment, considering different levels of metal pollution, and we studied the localization of contaminants in the guts of wasps. We revealed some differences in morphological characteristics and melanization of wasps collected in habitats with high, moderate, and low levels of pollution. The results indicated that V. vulgaris from highly polluted environments had reduced melanin pigmentation on the face but increased melanin pigmentation on the 2nd tergite of the abdomen. In addition, with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), we found metal particles from the midgut of wasps originating from the polluted environment. Most of the particles were encapsulated with melanin pigment. This finding confirmed that in wasps, ingested metal particles are accumulated in guts and covered by melanin layers. Our data suggest that wasps can tolerate metal contamination but respond phenotypically with modification of their size, coloration, and probably with the directions of the melanin investments (immunity or coloration). Thus, in industrially polluted areas, wasps might probably survive by engaging phenotypic plasticity with no significant or visible impact on the population.


Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.





Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 14:46