Insects (2018) 9 (4 - 143)
Nikola Lackovic, Milan Pernek, Coralie Bertheau, Damjan Franjevic, Christian Stauffer and Dimitrios N. Avtzis (2018)
Limited genetic structure of gypsy moth populations reflecting a recent history in Europe
Insects 9 (4 - 143)
Abstract: The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, a prominent polyphagous species native to Eurasia, causes severe impacts in deciduous forests during irregular periodical outbreaks. This study aimed to describe the genetic structure and diversity among European gypsy moth populations. Analysis of about 500 individuals using a partial region of the mitochondrial COI gene, L. disparwas characterized by low genetic diversity, limited population structure, and strong evidence that all extant haplogroups arose via a single Holocene population expansion event. Overall 60 haplotypes connected to a single parsimony network were detected and genetic diversity was highest for the coastal populations Croatia, Italy, and France, while lowest in continental populations. Phylogenetic reconstruction resulted in three groups that were geographically located in Central Europe, Dinaric Alps, and the Balkan Peninsula. In addition to recent events, the genetic structure reflects strong gene flow and the ability of gypsy moth to feed on about 400 deciduous and conifer species. Distinct genetic groups were detected in populations from Georgia. This remote population exhibited haplotypes intermediate to the European L. dispar dispar, Asian L. dispar asiatica, and L. dispar japonicaclusters, highlighting this area as a possible hybridization zone of this species for future studies applying genomic approaches.
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Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Dimitrios Avtzis, Christian Stauffer, Nikola Lackovic, Milan Pernek
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lymantria dispar | Austria | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Belgium | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Bulgaria | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Croatia | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Czech Republic | |||
| Lymantria dispar | France | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Georgia | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Germany | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Greece | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Hungary | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Italy | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Netherlands | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Poland | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Romania | |||
| Lymantria dispar | Serbia |
