Hybridisation has shaped a recent radiation of grass-feeding aphids.
Thomas C MathersRoland H M WoutersSam T MugfordRoberto BielloCock Van OosterhoutSaskia A HogenhoutPublished in: BMC biology (2023)
Our analyses reveal that hybridisation has substantially contributed to grain aphid diversity, and hence, to the evolutionary potential of this important pest species. Furthermore, we propose that aphids are particularly well placed to exploit hybridisation events via the rapid propagation of live-born "frozen hybrids" via asexual reproduction, increasing the likelihood of hybrid lineage formation.