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

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.