The role of maternal effects on offspring performance in familiar and novel environments

We estimated genetic and maternal effects for four life-history traits and host egg laying preference in a seed beetle (Callosobruchus macullatus, Chrysomelidae) using a half-sib/full-sib split brood design with two different host types - original vs. novel. We used cowpea (Vigna unguiculata, Fabaceae) as the original and mung bean (V. radiata) as the novel host species in our experiment.