Predatory impacts of alien decapod Crustacea are predicted by functional responses and explained by differences in metabolic rate

Alien predators can have large impacts on prey. It is important that we understand, and ideally predict, these impacts. Here, we compare predatory impacts of size-matched decapod crustaceans—invasive alien Eriocheir sinensis and Pacifastacus leniusculus, and native European Austropotamobius pallipes—and use this case study to inform methods for impact prediction. We quantify functional responses (FRs) on three macroinvertebrate prey species, examine switching behaviour, and measure metabolic rates as a possible mechanistic explanation for differences in predation. FRs show a consistent pattern: attack coefficients and maximum feeding rates are ordered E. sinensis?≥?P. leniusculus?≥?A. pallipes for all prey species. Attack coefficients of E. sinensis are up to 6.7 times greater than those of size-matched crayfish and maximum feeding rates up to 3.0 times greater. FR parameters also differ between the invasive and native crayfish, but only up to 2.6 times. We find no evidence of switching behaviour in crayfish but suggestions of negative switching in E. sinensis. Differences in FR parameters are mirrored by differences in routine, but not standard, metabolic rate. Overall, our data predict strong predatory impacts of E. sinensis, even relative to alien P. leniusculus. Strong impacts of P. leniusculus relative to A. pallipes may be driven more by body size or abundance than per capita effect. FRs vary between prey types in line with existing knowledge of impacts, supporting the use of FRs in quantitative, prey-specific impact predictions. MRs could offer a general mechanistic explanation for differences in predatory behaviour and impacts.     

Dispersal and local environment affect the spread of an invasive apple snail (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomacea maculata</Emphasis>) in Florida,USA

Dispersal and local environmental factors are major determinants of invasive species distribution. We examined how both dispersal-related geospatial characteristics and environmental factors influence an ongoing invasion of wetlands in a south-central Florida ranchland by non-native apple snails (Pomacea maculata, Ampullariidae). We found P. maculata in 73 (43%) of a random set of 171 wetlands in 2014. We used model selection to evaluate multiple hypotheses of predictors of P. maculata occurrence in 95 wetlands with standing water, including spatially-explicit distances in ditches from wetlands to the presumed entry point, Euclidean (overland) distances, presence/absence of ditches in wetlands, and environmental variables (e.g. pH). We also performed a 5-month field experiment in 20 wetlands to evaluate if snail absence was associated with conditions that limit survival and growth (i.e. unfavorable habitats). Snail occurrence was primarily associated with presence of ditches in wetlands and more neutral wetland pH. These variables more plausibly explained snail occurrence than did Euclidean (overland) distance and minimum ditch travel (rectilinear) distance from propagule sources (a major waterway). Wetland pH best explained survival and growth under the experimental conditions. We found no evidence that prior occupancy by conspecifics affected survival and growth, suggesting that dispersal limitation may contribute to lack of occupancy of wetlands, despite suitable pH. Our study supports man-made conduits as facilitators of dispersal by non-native species, where environmental characteristics (here pH) then also affect colonization within habitats. An understanding of both dispersal mechanisms and local environmental factors is necessary to better predict invasive species distribution.     

Size-selective predation by all-male prawns: implications for sustainable biocontrol of snail invasions

All-male populations of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii were recently produced by a novel temporal RNA interference (RNAi)-based biotechnology for aquaculture purposes. This biotechnology opens the way to the wide use of all-male prawn populations as sustainable biocontrol agents against invading populations of freshwater snails, for which there is currently no environmentally friendly solution. Among the most damaging of the invasive freshwater snail species are the apple snails (Pomacea spp.), which inflict major damage on natural ecosystems and rice fields. The proposed use of all-male prawn populations as environmentally friendly biocontrol agents against invasive freshwater snails has several advantages: efficient predation by the prawns over a wide range of freshwater snails, the ready availability of the prawns, and the monosex non-reproductive nature of the biocontrol agents. Since the aquatic predators are strongly size selective, we quantified the predation rate as a function of body size of both predator and prey (M. rosenbergii and P. caniculata). Medium-sized and large prawns (~10–30 g) efficiently preyed small and medium-sized snails (up to 15 mm), while small prawns (up to 4 g) immediately and completely eradicated snail hatchlings. Medium-sized prawns (~22 g) exterminated a significant fraction of snail biomass within 24 h (up to 58% of their body mass) after being introduced into a tank of snails. A typical ‘climbing-to-the surface’ anti-predator behavior of the snails was recorded. The potential of all-male prawns as efficient biocontrol agents over hatchling and adult apple snails as part of an integrated pest management program is discussed. Our experiments set the stage for evaluating the ecological and economic implications of this generic solution for a wide variety of habitats.     

Bivalve or gastropod? Using profitability estimates to predict prey choice by <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. clarkii</Emphasis>

Recently, a highly invasive alien species, the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha, has colonized Italian aquatic ecosystems that had been previously colonized by another highly invasive alien species—the North American crayfish Procambarus clarkii. This was the first time and world region where these two species met. To evaluate the relative importance of their interactions, we studied prey selection according to its length, as well as prey choice by P. clarkii preying on D. polymorpha in the presence and absence of alternative prey—the freshwater snail Physella acuta. We followed an optimability-based approach, by first estimating the most profitable length of each mollusc and then by conducting a prey choice experiment, on which both species were provided simultaneously to a crayfish with different size combinations. Prey selection was dependent on prey length, handling time and crayfish length for both molluscs. According to our profitability estimates, snails should be more profitable than mussels in the length range 7–10 mm, while for lengths over 11.0 mm, mussels should be more profitable. The results of the prey choice experiment indicated that D. polymorpha length, P. acuta length, and the difference in profitability between the offered individuals were all relevant for the choice of one species over the other by P. clarkii. However, the overall tendency was the choice of the smallest prey, regardless of species, and the estimates of prey profitability were not useful to predict prey choice. Our study shows that D. polymorpha represents a novel prey resource for P. clarkii, even in the presence of an alternative prey, and that zebra mussels may be a preferred prey, especially small-sized individuals (5–10 mm).     

Hybridization success is largely limited to homoploid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus</Emphasis> hybrids: a multidisciplinary approach

Prunus fruticosa is a rare shrub occurring in Eurasian thermophilous forest-steppe alliances. The species frequently hybridizes with cultivated Prunus species in Europe (allochthonous tetraploid P. cerasus and partly indigenous diploid P. avium). Propidium iodide flow cytometry, distance-based morphometrics, elliptic Fourier analysis and embryology were employed to evaluate the extent of hybridization in six Slovak populations. Flow cytometric analyses revealed three ploidy levels: diploid (P. avium), triploid (P. × mohacsyana) and tetraploid (P. fruticosa, P. × eminens and P. cerasus). In addition, P. fruticosa and P. cerasus, at the tetraploid level, were found to differ in absolute genome size. An embryological evaluation suggested the existence of a triploid block in P. × mohacsyana and significant potential for hybridization among tetraploid taxa (indicated also by a continuous distribution of genome size data and further mirrored by morphometrics). Although hybrids significantly differ in ploidy level and embryological characteristics, they are almost indistinguishable using morphological characters. Hybridization with P. cerasus thus turns out to be a significant threat to wild populations of P. fruticosa compared to the relatively weak influence of P. avium.     

Genome size and ploidy level among wild and cultivated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus</Emphasis> taxa in Slovakia

2C DNA content and ploidy level variation of Prunus spinosa and closely related taxa together with Prunus domestica L. and Prunus insititia L. was studied in Slovakia. The aim of the study was to define genome sizes and find differences between closely related taxa within Prunus spinosa sensu lato mentioned in previous works. According to our results, investigated taxa can be divided into three groups according to ploidy level: Prunus spinosa, Prunus dasyphylla, Prunus ×fruticans, Prunus ×dominii and Prunus ×schurii are tetraploids, Prunus ×fechtneri is pentaploid, and P. domestica and P. insititia are hexaploids. Genome size differences within tetraploid taxa were relatively small (Prunus spinosa: 1.40?±?0.02, P. ×domini: 1.44?±?0.01, P. ×fruticans: 1.48?±?0.02, P. ×schurii: 1.44?±?0.02), but statistically significant. Although further research is needed, it seems that the concept of several taxa as product of hybridization between P. spinosa and cultivated plum species has been supported by our study.     

Comparison of trophic function between the globally invasive crayfishes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pacifastacus leniusculus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Procambarus clarkii</Emphasis>

Impacts of invasive species may manifest most strongly if these organisms are highly distinct functionally from the native species they often replace. Yet, should we expect functional differences between native and invasive species of generalist organisms like freshwater crayfish? Some existing evidence has pointed to native and invasive crayfish species as ecologically equivalent. We contribute to this literature by comparing the trophic niches of the globally invasive crayfishes Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii, by applying carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses to replicated allopatric (alone) and sympatric (together) lake populations in western Washington State, USA, where P. clarkii has been recently introduced and P. leniusculus is presumed native. Our study corrected for potential inherent differences in lake food webs as a consequence of lake abiotic or biotic characteristics using random effects in linear mixed effects models. We found that although overall trophic niche size or area of these species was not significantly different, P. leniusculus was significantly higher in trophic position than P. clarkii when also accounting for the effects of body size, sex, and lakes as random effects. This pattern of increased trophic position of P. leniusculus over P. clarkii was conserved over time in one sympatric lake for which we had data over multiple years. Cumulatively, our findings point to trophic differences between the globally cosmopolitan crayfishes P. leniusculus and P. clarkii, particularly when accounting for the ways that ecosystem context can affect food web structure of communities and the trophic resources available to these consumers.     

Development of an STS map of an interspecific progeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malus</Emphasis>

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers developed from Malus, as well as Prunus, Pyrus and Sorbus, and some other sequence-tagged site (STS) loci were analysed in an interspecific F₁ apple progeny from the cross ‘Fiesta’ × ‘Totem’ that segregated for several agronomic characters. A linkage map was constructed using 259 STS loci (247 SSRs, four SCARs and eight known-function genes) and five genes for agronomic traits—scab resistance (Vf), mildew resistance (Pl-2), columnar growth habit (Co), red tissues (Rt) and green flesh background colour (Gfc). Ninety SSR loci and three genes (ETR1, Rt and Gfc) were mapped for the first time in apple. The transferability of markers from other Maloideae to Malus was found to be around 44%. The loci are spread across 17 linkage groups, corresponding to the basic chromosome number of Malus and cover 1,208 cM, approximately 85% of the estimated length of the apple genome. Interestingly, we have extended the top of LG15 with eight markers covering 25 cM. The average map density is 4.7 cM per marker; however, marker density varies greatly between linkage groups, from 2.5 in LG14 to 8.9 in LG7, with some areas of the genome still in need of further STS markers for saturation.     

Gene actions for yield and its attributes and their implications in the inheritance pattern over three generations in opium poppy (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Papaver somniferum</Emphasis> L.)

The gene actions for yield and its attributes and their inheritance pattern based on five parameter model have been explored in four single crosses (NBIHT-5 × NBIHT-6, NBIHT-5 × NBMHT-1, NBMHT-1 × NBIHT-6 and NBMHT-2 × NBMHT-1) obtained using thebaine rich pure lines of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) for three consecutive generations. All the traits showed nonallelic mode of interaction, however, dominance effect (h) was more pronounced for all the traits except thebaine and papaverine. The dominance × dominance (l) effects were predominant over additive × additive (i) for all traits in all the four crosses except for papaverine. The seed and opium yield, and its contributing traits inherited quantitatively. The fixable gene effects (d) and (i) were lower in magnitude than nonfixable (h) and (l) gene effects. The estimates of heterosis were also higher in comparison to the respective parents which suggested preponderance of dominance gene action for controlling most of the traits. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was marginally higher than those of genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits. The traits thebaine, narcotine, morphine and opium yield had high heritability coupled with high genetic advance. The leaf number, branches per plant and stem diameter showed positive correlation with opium and seed yields. The selection of plants having large number of leaves, branches and capsules with bigger size would be advantageous to enhance the yield potential.     

Taxonomic significance of pollen morphology for species delimitation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psidium</Emphasis> (Myrtaceae)

Previous studies reported Psidium as one of the most difficult genera to delimit within the American Myrtaceae. Even though palynology has improved the taxonomy of Angiosperms, information about the usefulness of pollen morphology for taxonomic purposes in Myrtaceae remains contradictory. Here, we investigate the significance of pollen morphology for Psidium taxonomy with specific focus on its usefulness for determining species groups of taxonomic significance. Pollen traits observed by light and scanning electron microscopy were quantified and examined using cluster and ordination analyses. Average size of pollen grains was visualized by boxplots. Pollen grains of Psidium are isopolar, oblate, peroblate or oblate-spheroidal, 3-syncolporate or 4-syncolporate. The sexine ornamentation is rugulate, granulate or spinulose-granulate and differs between the mesocolpium and apocolpium. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct groups: Psidium cauliflorum (G1) and Psidium oligospermum (G3) as single-species groups; Psidium brownianum, P. oblongatum, P. ovale, P. sartorianum, P. guajava, Psidium sp. 1, Psidium sp. 2 (G2), and Psidium cattleianum, P. longipetiolatum, P. guineense, P. myrtoides (G4). Supported by ordination analysis, three traits better explained these groups: type of exine ornamentation, size of P-EV and pollen shape. The used approach efficiently distinguished related species, as well as explained species groups of taxonomic significance suggesting pollen morphology to be a significant source of information for taxonomic studies in Psidium.     

Comparative Study of the Effects of Fluconazole and Voriconazole on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida glabrata</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida parapsilosis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida rugosa</Emphasis> Biofilms

Infections by non-albicans Candida species are a life-threatening condition, and formation of biofilms can lead to treatment failure in a clinical setting. This study was aimed to demonstrate the in vitro antibiofilm activity of fluconazole (FLU) and voriconazole (VOR) against C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and C. rugosa with diverse antifungal susceptibilities to FLU and VOR. The antibiofilm activities of FLU and VOR in the form of suspension as well as pre-coatings were assessed by XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] reduction assay. Morphological and intracellular changes exerted by the antifungal drugs on Candida cells were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results of the antibiofilm activities showed that FLU drug suspension was capable of killing C. parapsilosis and C. rugosa at minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 4× MIC FLU and 256× MIC FLU, respectively. While VOR MICs ranging from 2× to 32× were capable of killing the biofilms of all Candida spp tested. The antibiofilm activities of pre-coated FLU were able to kill the biofilms at ¼× MIC FLU and ½× MIC FLU for C. parapsilosis and C. rugosa strains, respectively. While pre-coated VOR was able to kill the biofilms, all three Candida sp at ½× MIC VOR. SEM and TEM examinations showed that FLU and VOR treatments exerted significant impact on Candida cell with various degrees of morphological changes. In conclusion, a fourfold reduction in MIC₅₀ of FLU and VOR towards ATCC strains of C. glabrata, C. rugosa and C. rugosa clinical strain was observed in this study.     

Genome survey sequencing of red swamp crayfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Procambarus clarkii</Emphasis>

Red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, presently is an important aquatic commercial species in China. The crayfish is a hot area of research focus, and its genetic improvement is quite urgent for the crayfish aquaculture in China. However, the knowledge of its genomic landscape is limited. In this study, a survey of P. clarkii genome was investigated based on Illumina’s Solexa sequencing platform. Meanwhile, its genome size was estimated using flow cytometry. Interestingly, the genome size estimated is about 8.50 Gb by flow cytometry and 1.86 Gb with genome survey sequencing. Based on the assembled genome sequences, total of 136,962 genes and 152,268 exons were predicted, and the predicted genes ranged from 150 to 12,807 bp in length. The survey sequences could help accelerate the progress of gene discovery involved in genetic diversity and evolutionary analysis, even though it could not successfully applied for estimation of P. clarkii genome size.     

Size matters: predation of fish eggs and larvae by native and invasive amphipods

Invasive predators can have dramatic impacts on invaded communities. Extreme declines in macroinvertebrate populations often follow killer shrimp (Dikerogammarus villosus) invasions. There are concerns over similar impacts on fish through predation of eggs and larvae, but these remain poorly quantified. We compare the predatory impact of invasive and native amphipods (D. villosus and Gammarus pulex) on fish eggs and larvae (ghost carp Cyprinus carpio and brown trout Salmo trutta) in the laboratory. We use size-matched amphipods, as well as larger D. villosus reflecting natural sizes. We quantify functional responses, and electivity amongst eggs or larvae and alternative food items (invertebrate, plant and decaying leaf). D. villosus, especially large individuals, were more likely than G. pulex to kill trout larvae. However, the magnitude of predation was low (seldom more than one larva killed over 48 h). Trout eggs were very rarely killed. In contrast, carp eggs and larvae were readily killed and consumed by all amphipod groups. Large D. villosus had maximum feeding rates 1.6–2.0 times higher than the smaller amphipods, whose functional responses did not differ. In electivity experiments with carp eggs, large D. villosus consumed the most eggs and the most food in total. However, in experiments with larvae, consumption did not differ between amphipod groups. Overall, our data suggest D. villosus will have a greater predatory impact on fish populations than G. pulex, primarily due to its larger size. Higher invader abundance could amplify this difference. The additional predatory pressure could reduce recruitment into fish populations.     

Simple Sequence Repeat and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-locus Genotyping to Explore Genetic Variability in Polyploid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus spinosa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. insititia</Emphasis>

Polyploid Prunus spinosa (2n = 4×) and P. insititia (2n = 6×) represent enormous genetic potential in Central Europe, which can be exploited in breeding programmes. In Hungary, 17 cultivar candidates were selected from wild-growing populations including 10 P. spinosa, 4 P. insititia and three P. spinosa × P. domestica hybrids (2n = 5×). Their taxonomic classification was based on their phenotypic characteristics. Six simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and the multiallelic S-locus genotyping were used to characterize genetic variability and reliable identification of the tested accessions. A total of 98 SSR alleles were identified, which presents 19.5 average allele number per locus, and each of the 17 genotypes could be discriminated based on unique SSR fingerprints. A total of 23 S-RNase alleles were identified. The complete and partial S-genotype was determined for 8 and 9 accessions, respectively. The identification of a cross-incompatible pair of cultivar candidates and several semi-compatible combinations help maximize fruit set in commercial orchards. Our results indicate that the S-allele pools of wild-growing P. spinosa and P. insititia are overlapping in Hungary. A phylogenetic and principal component analysis confirmed the high level of diversity and genetic differentiation present within the analysed genotypes and helped clarify doubtful taxonomic identities. Our data confirm that S-locus genotyping is suitable for diversity studies in polyploid Prunus species. The analysed accessions represent huge genetic potential that can be exploited in commercial cultivation.     

Detection of Insertions/Deletions Within <Emphasis Type="Italic">SIRT1</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">SIRT2</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">SIRT3</Emphasis> Genes and Their Associations with Body Measurement Traits in Cattle

Growth traits are complex quantitative traits controlled by numerous candidate genes, and they can be well-evaluated using body measurement traits. As the members of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent family of histone deacetylases, class I sirtuin genes (including SIRT1, SIRT2 and SIRT3) play crucial roles in regulating lipid metabolism, cellular growth and metabolism, suggesting that they are potential candidate genes affecting body measurement traits in animals. Hence, the objective of this work aimed to detect novel insertions/deletions (indels) of SIRT1, SIRT2 and SIRT3 genes in 955 cattle belonging to five breeds, as well as to evaluate their effects on body measurement traits. Herein, the novel 12-bp indel of SIRT1 gene, the 7-bp indel of SIRT2 gene and the 26-bp indel of SIRT3 gene were firstly reported, respectively. The association analysis indicated that the indels within SIRT1 and SIRT2 genes were significantly associated with body measurement traits such as body weight, chest circumference, height at hip cross, hip width, body height, etc. (P?<?0.05 or P?<?0.01). Therefore, based on these findings, the two novel indel variants within bovine SIRT1 and SIRT2 genes could be considered as potential molecular markers for growth traits in cattle selection practices and breeding.     

Karyo-taxonomic study of the genus<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudolysimachion</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scrophulariaceae</Emphasis>) in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Flow cytometry was used to determine ploidy levels in the Czech and Slovak taxa of the genusPseudolysimachion (W.D.J. Koch)Opiz (=Veronica auct. p.p.,Scrophulariaceae). In total, 123 populations from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine (one locality), Austria (one locality) and Hungary (one locality) were analyzed. InP. maritimum (L.)Á. Löve etD. Löve andP. spicatum (L.)Opiz, two cytotypes were found: diploid (2n=2x=34) and tetraploid (2n=4x=68). In both species the tetraploid cytotype predominated (P. maritimum: 41 tetraploid populations out of 45;P. spicatum: 57 tetraploid populations out of 58). The two cytotypes ofP. maritimum have no taxonomic significance because ploidy level is not obviously correlated with morphology, distribution pattern or ecology. Tetraploid populations ofP. spicatum belong to two morphologically different subspecies, subsp.spicatum and subsp.fischeri Trávní?ek. The diploid cytotype (one population only) should be provisionally classified as a third subspecies ofP. spicatum, which is morphologically similar to the Asian subsp.porphyrianum (Pavlov)Trávní?ek. Only diploid plants (2n=2x=34) ofP. orchideum (Crantz)Wraber were found; all 13 populations that were analyzed belong toP. orchideum s.str. One diploid population sample ofP. spurium subsp.foliosum (Waldst. etKit.)Holub (2n=2x=34) and one tetraploid sample ofP. incanum subsp.pallens (Host)Trávní?ek (2n=4x=68) were also analyzed. In addition, three tetraploid populations of hybrid origin were investigated:P. maritimum ×P. spicatum subsp.spicatum (one population) andP. maritimum ×P. spurium subsp.foliosum (two populations). While hybrid plants ofP. maritimum ×P. spicatum arose from tetraploid parental species, plants ofP. maritimum ×P. spurium probably resulted from a cross between tetraploidP. maritimum and diploidP. spurium. The putative origin and evolutionary importance of polyploids in thePseudolysimachion are discussed.     

Differentiation of craniomandibular morphology in two sympatric <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peromyscus</Emphasis> mice (Cricetidae: Rodentia)

In the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, dietary partitioning is believed to allow Peromyscus californicus (California mouse) and Peromyscus truei (pinyon mouse) to occur sympatrically; P. californicus feeds primarily on arthropods, whereas P. truei feeds primarily on acorns. To better understand how these species partition resources, we examine if these dietary differences extend to differences in craniomandibular morphology. We use a geometric morphometric approach to test the hypothesis that P. californicus and P. truei exhibited size and shape differences in craniomandibular morphology, in particular, regions of the skulls that pertain to biting ability and mechanical advantage of the jaw adductor muscles. We found that P. truei exhibited relatively wider zygomatic arches, relatively broader, more robust masseteric fossa and coronoid process, and a higher mechanical advantage of the masseter jaw muscle. These craniomandibular traits suggested that P. truei exhibits a relatively stronger bite force that is more suitable to access hard-shelled acorns despite its smaller body size.     

Nucleotide sequences of the microsatellite locus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Du215 (arm)</Emphasis> allelic variants in the parthenospecies <Emphasis Type="Italic">Darevskia armeniaca</Emphasis> (Lacertidae)

Using monolocus PCR analysis with the pairs of primers designed for the Du215 locus of Darevskia unisexualis, allelic polymorphism at the orthologous locus in the populations of the related parthenospecies D. armeniaca was investigated. It was demonstrated that Du215 (arm) locus was polymorphic and in the populations of parthenospecies D. armeniaca (n = 127) represented by at least three allelic variants, differing from each other by the size and composition of microsatellite cluster, and by single nucleotide substitutions in flanking DNA. Unlike the Du215 locus, Du215 (arm) was shown contain not only GATA, but also (GACA) repeats, which were absent in D. unisexualis. Thus, in this study, the data on the molecular nature of allelic polymorphism at one of the microsatellite loci of the parthenospecies D. armeniaca were reported.