Characterization of microsatellite loci for Reissita simonyi (Rebel, 1899) (Lepidoptera,Zygaenidae)

The newly developed microsatellite set for Reissita simonyi ( Rebel 1899 ) (Lepidoptera, Zyganidae) is presented. In total, 14 loci turned out to be highly polymorphic. The microsatellite set will be used for a population genetic analysis of this endemic species in Southern Arabia. In the focus of this study stands the genetic differentiation and variability of isolated populations, which are assumed to be based on habitat fragmentation due to natural processes and human impact. Moreover, this new microsatellite set showed accurate band patterns in the Palaearctic genus Zygaena which seems to be promising for further studies.     

Genetic variability in the diapause response of the burnet moth Zygaena trifolii (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae)

A high degree of phenotypic variability was observed in the diapause response of the burnet moth Zygaena trifolii. In this study, we show that the observed variability is partly based on genetic differences between individuals. In a selection experiment, the larval instar at which diapause occurs was changed within six generations. Diapause instars were dependent on the time of pre-diapause development of larvae, which varied considerably between larvae. A heritability analysis indicates that a part of the variability in development time is based on additive genetic variance. The maintenance of genetic variability in the development time and the diapause response of Z. trifolii is discussed in the context of spatially and temporally changing selection pressures.     

Molecular biogeography of the arctic-alpine disjunct burnet moth species Zygaena exulans (Zygaenidae, Lepidoptera) in the Pyrenees and Alps

Aim The phylogeography of ‘southern’ species is relatively well studied in Europe. However, there are few data about ‘northern’ species, and so we studied the population genetic structure of the arctic‐alpine distributed burnet moth Zygaena exulans as an exemplar. Location and methods The allozymes of 209 individuals from seven populations (two from the Pyrenees, five from the Alps) were studied by electrophoresis. Results All 15 analysed loci were polymorphic. The mean genetic diversities were moderately high (A: 1.99; H_e: 11.5; P: 65%). Mean genetic diversities were significantly higher in the Alps than in the Pyrenees in all cases. F_ST was 5.4% and F_IS was 10%. Genetic distances were generally low with a mean of 0.022 between large populations. About 62% of the variance between populations was between the Alps and the Pyrenees. The two samples from the Pyrenees had no significant differentiation, whereas significant differentiation was detected between the populations from the Alps (F_ST = 2.8%, P = 0.02). Main conclusion Zygaena exulans had a continuous distribution between the Alps and the Pyrenees during the last ice age. Most probably, the species was not present in Iberia, and the samples from the Pyrenees are derived from the southern edge of the glacial distribution area and thus became genetically impoverished. Post‐glacial isolation in Alps and Pyrenees has resulted in a weak genetic differentiation between these two disjunct high mountain systems.     

Influences of daylength and temperature on the period of diapause and its ending process in dormant larvae of burnet moths (Lepidoptera,Zygaenidae)

The onset of larval diapause in the burnet moth Zygaena trifolii is clearly characterized by the larva molting into a specialized dormant morph. In a potentially bivoltine Mediterranean population (Marseille) two types of diapause can occur within 1 year: firstly, a facultative summer diapause of 3–10 weeks, and secondly, an obligate winter diapause, which can be lengthened by a period of thermal quiescence to several months in temperatures of 5°C. For the first time, three successive physiological periods have been experimentally distinguished within an insect dormancy (between onset of diapause and molting to the next non-diapause stage), using chilling periods of 30–180 days at 5°C, and varying conditions of photoperiod and temperature. These stages are: (1) a continuous Diapause-ending process (DEP); (2) thermal quiescence (Q); and finally, (3) a period of postdiapause development (PDD) before molting to the next larval instar. The result of transferring dormant larvae from chilling at 5°C to 20°C depended on the length of the chilling period. After chilling for 120–180 days, molting to the next instar occurred after 6–10 days, independent of daylength. This period corresponds with the duration of PDD. After shorter chilling periods (90, 60, 30 days and the control, 0 days) the period to eclosion increased exponentially, and included both the latter part of the previous diapause process and the 6–10 day period of PDD. However, photoperiod also influences the time to eclosion after chilling. Short daylength (8 h light / 16 h dark: LD 8/16) lengthened the diapause in comparison to long daylength (16 h light / 8 h dark: LD 16/8). Short daylength had a similar effect during chilling at 5°C, as measured by the longer time to eclosion after transfer. The shorter time to eclosion resulting from longer chilling periods (30–90 days) demonstrates that the state of diapause is continuously shortened at 5°C, and corresponds to the neuroendocrine controlled DEP. Presumably the DEP has already started after the onset of diapause. When chilling was continued after the end of the DEP, which ranged between 90 and 120 days, thermal quiescence (Q) followed (observed maximum 395 days). Different photoperiodic conditions during the pre-diapause inductive period modified diapause intensity (measured as the duration of diapause), in that a photoperiodic signal just below the critical photoperiod for diapause induction (LD 15/9) intensified diapause. Experiments simulating the summer diapause showed that PDD occurred in the range of 10–25°C. Higher temperatures (15 and 20°C) shortened the DEP at LD 16/8, so that at 20°C many individuals had already terminated diapause after 10–40 days and had molted after the 6–10 days of PDD. A temperature of 25°C unexpectedly lengthened the DEP to 110 days in several individuals. The ecological consequences and the adaptive significance of variation in the duration of the diapause are discussed in relation to the persistence of local populations predictably variable and rare climatic extremes throughout the year.     

Reproductive behaviour of the white-tailed zygaenid moth,Elcysma westwoodii (Lepidoptera,Zygaenidae) I. Mating sequence

The mating behaviour of the white-tailed zygaenid moth,Elcysma westwoodii, was observed. During the morning in the breeding season, males fly in search of females. It seems that females release sex pheromone and that olfaction is important in the search, although the moth is diurnal. In mating behaviour, males often gather to a female. Some factors which cause male gathering are considered: 1) high density of male moths, 2) males' tendency to be attracted by other fluttering males, and 3) females' tendency to refuse males.     

Conservation genetics of snowy plovers (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Charadrius alexandrinus</Emphasis>) in the Western Hemisphere: population genetic structure and delineation of subspecies

We examined the genetic structure of snowy plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) in North America, the Caribbean, and the west coast of South America to quantify variation within and among breeding areas and to test the validity of three previously recognized subspecies. Sequences (676 bp) from domains I and II of the mitochondrial control region were analyzed for 166 snowy plovers from 20 breeding areas. Variation was also examined at 10 microsatellite loci for 144 snowy plovers from 14 breeding areas. The mtDNA and microsatellite data provided strong evidence that the Puerto Rican breeding group is genetically divergent from sites in the continental U.S. (net sequence divergence = 0.38%; F _ST for microsatellites = 0.190). Our data also revealed high levels of differentiation between sites from South America and North America (net sequence divergence = 0.81%; F _ST for microsatellites = 0.253). In contrast, there was little genetic structure among breeding sites within the continental U.S. Our results suggest that snowy plovers in Florida should be considered part of C. a. nivosus (rather than part of C. a. tenuirostris, where they are currently placed), whereas snowy plovers from Puerto Rico should be considered part of C. a. tenuirostris. Snowy plovers in South America should remain a separate subspecies (C. a. occidentalis). Although U.S. Pacific and Gulf Coast breeding areas were not genetically distinct from other continental U.S. sites, demographic isolation, unique coastal habitats, and recent population declines suggest they warrant special concern.     

Repeated larval diapause and diapause-free development in geographic strains of the burnet moth Zygaena trifolii Esp. (Insecta,Lepidoptera)

Summary Zygaena trifolii is a long-day insect with temperature-dependent photoperiodic responses. All larval instars are sensitive to photoperiod; however, diapause may occur at the third larval stage or any subsequent larval instars. There were quantitative differences within populations in the threshold photoperiod for diapause induction. The diapause response was polymorphic, so that larvae might enter diapause at different instars under the same culture conditions. Furthermore, decreasing photoperiods below a critical daylength shifted the diapausing instar towards earlier stages. Geographic strains of Z. trifolii showed discontinuous clinal variation. Near the northern edge of the distribution [Cologne (Köln), FRG], there is first an obligatory diapause, mainly during early instars, and additional facultative (repeat) diapauses during later larval instars in subsequent years. In the southern part of its distribution, this burnet moth is partially bivoltine in the field with a facultative first developmental arrest and a decreased capacity for repeated diapause (Valencia, Spain; Marseille, France). Further experiments indicated that the photoperiodically controlled diapause reaction is also influenced by the number of photoperiodic cycles experienced during the period spent in each larval instar, which depends on temperature. The adaptive significance of obligatory and facultative repeated diapause, varying even among the offspring of a single female, may be to buffer the populations against the more extreme and, from year to year, unpredictable fluctuations in climatic conditions at the northern edge of the distribution.Abbreviations L₃ feeding 3rd larval instar - L₄D diapausing 4th larval instar - L₅D2 repeat-diapausing larval instar with second diapause at the 5th larval stage - LD light-dark cycle - KT shortday conditions (e.g. LD 8:16) - LT long-day conditions (e.g. LD 16:8)     

Population genetic structure of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from apple orchards in central Chile

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is the main pest of pome fruits worldwide. Despite its economic importance, little is known about the genetic structure and patterns of dispersal at the local and regional scale, which are important aspects for establishing a control strategy for this pest. An analysis of genetic variability using microsatellites was performed for 11 codling moth populations in the two major apple (Malus domestica Borkh) cropping regions in central Chile. Despite the geographical distances between some populations (approximately 185 km), there was low genetic differentiation among populations (F(ST) = 0.002176), with only slight isolation by distance. Only approximately 0.2% of the genetic variability was found among the populations. Geographically structured genetic variation was independent of apple orchard management (production or abandoned). These results suggest a high genetic exchange of codling moth between orchards, possibly mediated by human activities related to fruit production.     

Mimicry in the burnet moth Zygaena ephialtes: population studies and evidence of a Batesian—Müllerian situation

Abstract. 1. Population size as well as the absolute and relative frequencies of the phegea and filipendulae mimetic complexes have been estimated in an area of Central Italy selected because it is: (a) little affected by man, (b) representative of many others in the Central Appennines, and (c) containing an abundant population of Zygaena ephialtes.
2. This distasteful polymorphic species belongs, in Central Italy as in other Southern areas, to the phegea complex ( Zygaena ephialtes , yellow ephialtoid form), while in Northern and Central Europe it belongs to the filipendulae complex ( Z.ephialtes , red peucedanoid form).
3. In the Southern areas the phegea complex is much more abundant than the filipendulae one, which gives the yellow ephialtoid form of Z.ephialtes a strong mimetic advantage over the red peucedanoid.
4. In addition, Amata phegea greatly outnumbers the other distasteful members of its complex and emerges first.
5. Throughout its flight period Z.ephialtes , which emerges about 20 days later than A.phegea , never attains a frequency higher than 0.03 in this complex. It is suggested that in such a situation the protection that this species gains as a mimic would be very high regardless of its unpalatability.
6. These findings and others discussed in the present paper, such as the degree of unpalatability, the genetics of the mimetic form as well as the polymorphism for colour and pattern, are examined according to the hypothesis of divergent evolutionary strategies in Batesian and Müllerian mimicry. It is suggested that these are meaningful concepts but that individual mimics, of which Z.ephialtes is one, can fall between them.     

Integrating multiple analytical approaches to spatially delineate and characterize genetic population structure: an application to boreal caribou (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rangifer tarandus caribou</Emphasis>) in central Canada

Individual-based clustering (IBC) methods have become increasingly popular for the characterization and delineation of genetic population units for numerous species. These methods delineate populations based on the genetic assumptions of a breeding unit which may provide a better representation of the behaviour of the species. The increasing use of IBC has resulted in the development of several analytical models all of which vary in their theoretical assumptions to infer genetic population structure. In this paper, we report a comparative strategy utilizing three IBC methods to characterize the spatial genetic structure of the boreal population of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in central Canada. In addition, we implement both tests for isolation-by-distance (IBD) and frequency-based assignment tests to validate the consensus genetic clusters as defined by IBC. We also compare indirect metrics of genetic diversity and gene flow using both a priori defined herds and the IBC defined populations. Although our results show some concordance between both pre-defined herds and IBC derived genetic clusters, the IBC analyses identified a cluster that was cryptic to observation-based caribou herds and found no difference between several adjacent herds. By comparing multiple IBC methods and integrating both IBD and indirect genetic diversity metrics a posteriori, our strategy provides an effective means to delineate wildlife population structure and accurately assess genetic diversity and connectivity.     

Analysis of population genetic structure and variability using RAPD markers in the endemic and endangered Limonium dufourii (Plumbaginaceae)

Limonium dufourii (Plumbaginaceae) is a triploid species, with apomictic reproduction, endemic to the east mediterranean coast of Spain, where it is present in only six populations with a few individuals in most of them. L. dufourii is included in the Red List of Endangered Species by the IUCN. Genetic variation and population structure in this species has been studied using RAPDs. Twelve different primers provided 124 reliable bands of which 33 were polymorphic among the 165 individuals analysed. Those polymorphic bands were able to define 44 different patterns, of which all but six were present in only one population. Several methods for statistical evaluation have been used for intra- and interpopulation analysis of genetic variability. Relationships among patterns have led to the identification of four main clusters. Two of them show a perfect correspondence to the population of origin of those individuals that present them (Cullera and Torreblanca), and the other two (Groups A and B) include patterns found in individuals coexisting in the same populations (Marjal del Moro populations) and in El Saler. Most of the variation found in this species is due to differences among populations as shown by the analysis of molecular variance. This agrees with the expectation for an apomictic species such as L. dufourii . The analysis of homogeneity of variance shows that substantial differences in the amount of genetic variability present in the six populations exist. These results have been used to understand the evolutionary and demographic history of L. dufourii , which is a requisite in order to establish efficient conservation measures for this species.     

Intimate roles for cyanogenic glucosides in the life cycle of Zygaena filipendulae (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae)

Zygaena larvae sequester the cyanogenic glucosides (CNglcs) linamarin and lotaustralin from their food plants (Fabaceae) and also de novo biosynthesize these compounds. In Zygaenidae, CNglcs serve as defence compounds during the entire life cycle, and their content and ratio are tightly regulated. We demonstrate that Z. filipendulae males transfer a nuptial gift of CNglcs to females during mating, and that females prefer males with a higher content of CNglcs for mating. Average HCN emission from female imagines is 19 times higher than from males, suggesting that plumes of HCN emitted from the perching female may serve to attract flying males. Analysis of the linamarin and lotaustralin content and ratio within different tissues in Z. filipendulae larvae shows that integument and haemolymph constitute the main sites of CNglc deposition. The data suggest that CNglcs may serve an additional role as storage compounds of reduced nitrogen that is mobilized during the transition of the last instar larva to imago, most likely to provide nitrogen for chitin synthesis. At least one of the enzymes responsible for de novo biosynthesis of CNglcs in Z. filipendulae is located in the integument. In conclusion, CNglcs play many important and different roles during the entire life cycle of Z. filipendulae in addition to defence.     

Allozymic and morphometric analysis of populations in the Zygaena purpuralis complex (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae)

In Central Europe and Asia Minor Zygaena purpuralis and Z. minos are two sibling species exhibiting a considerable geographic variation in several features. In this study we examine some populations from the Central and Southern Apennines (Italy) by comparing multivariate analyses of individual allozymic multilocus profiles and of individual morphometric profiles of male genitalia in order to assess their genetic and phenetic relationships.
Results indicate that populations of Z. purpuralis in the Apennines behave in rather different ways with respect to the occurrence of gene exchange with other gene pools. No gene flow appears to occur between two geographically close southern populations; however, extensive introgression, revealable at both the allozymic and morphometric level, seems to occur between some purpuralis and minos -like sympatric populations from Abruzzi. Evolutionary relationships among these peninsular Italy populations are discussed with reference to historical factors, that is, the occurrence of multiple Pleistocene refugia, which could have determined different degrees of isolation among gene pools. This situation is rather different from that previously outlined for Central Europe and present results suggest that the Z. purpuralis complex might include more than two biological species.     

Molecular phylogeny of the yellow peach moth,Conogethes punctiferalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae): distribution of two genetic lineages across Japan

Mating disruption using synthetic sex pheromones is an effective pest-control method to prevent the evolution of insecticide resistance. Although the sex pheromone of the yellow peach moth Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) has already been identified and artificially synthesized, mating disruption in the field has been less successful than expected. Such ineffectiveness may be caused by genetic variation in the attractiveness of the sex pheromone across moth populations. To evaluate this possibility, we evaluated the genetic population structure of this species across 10 populations in Japan. We found that two clades were present at the mtDNA COI region, each clade was sympatrically distributed, and no genetic structure was detected among the populations. In addition, the frequencies of the two clades did not differ between the samples in pheromone traps using two types of blend and those hand collected from infested fruit. Our mating experiment revealed random mating between the two clades. Our results strongly suggest that the genetic variation in the attractiveness of the sex pheromone is minimal and symmetrical gene flow likely occurs between the clades in the field.

     

Comparing the effects of the exotic cactus-feeding moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the native cactus-feeding moth, Melitara prodenialis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on two species of Florida Opuntia

This study examined the effects of the native cactus moth borer, Melitara prodenialis, and the invasive cactus moth borer, Cactoblastis cactorum, on two common cactus species, Opuntia stricta and O. humifusa at coastal and inland locations in central Florida. Opuntia stricta were present only at coastal sites and O. humifusa were present at coastal and inland sites. Throughout the duration of the study, coastal plants were subject to damage solely by C. cactorum and inland plants solely by M. prodenialis. Results showed marginally significantly higher numbers of eggsticks on O. stricta than O. humifusa and significantly higher numbers at coastal sites than at inland sites. There was also significantly higher moth damage on O. stricta than O. humifusa and at coastal sites than inland sites, but not significantly so. However, there was a higher level of plant mortality for O. humifusa than for O. stricta and a significantly higher level of cactus mortality at inland sites when compared to coastal sites. This increased mortality may be due to increased attack by true bugs, Chelinidea vittiger, and by Dactylopius sp., combined with attack by M. prodenialis. Inland plants also tended to be smaller than coastal plants and could be more susceptible to the combined effects of all insects. Further long-term research on coastal cactus survival when attacked and unattacked by Cactoblastis is necessary to fully determine the effects of this moth on Opuntia survival.     

Spatio-temporal analysis of the population dynamics of the oriental moth,Monema flavescens (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae)

The comparative analysis of life tables of the oriental moth, Monema flavescens, obtained in 6 patches for 8 generations in 4 years revealed the following:

1. The ratio of maximum to minimum of cocoon density for each patch ranged from 5.34 to 22.50, each value being more than 3.20, the ratio for the whole study area.
2. The density change from adult to cocoon in the next generation caused most of the spatial variation in density change per patch. The rate of adult-to-cocoon population change showed spatial density dependence in some generations but not in others. When the change rate lacked spatial density dependence, it was the key-factor for spatial variation in adult density for the following few generations till the change rate recovered spatial density dependence. This was because of flooding, which killed the spatial density dependence existing potentially in the adult-to-cocoon change rate and damaged the same patches during the few successive generations.
3. The rate of population change from overwintered generation adults (summer ones) to first generation cocoons was not only the key-factor for the rate of throughout-the-year change but temporally density dependent in each patch. Therefore, the density for the whole study area is considered to fluctuate within a range. However, the strong equilibrium seen in the cocoon density for the whole study area was due to the floods that happened to occur when the density was near and at its maximum, and it is considered that such a strong equilibrium does not always occur.
4. In the population change from summer adults to first generation cocoons, temporal density dependence was found in all the patches, but it was found only in one patch in the population change from autumn adults to second generation cocoons. This was because the spatial density dependence seen in the former corresponded to the absolute density of adults, while that in the latter corresponded to the relative density.

     

两种灯光诱测工具对粘虫种群的监测效果

【目的】比较和评价自动虫情测报灯和高空探照灯诱捕粘虫Mythimna separata(Walker)的种群动态和迁飞状态,为粘虫迁飞规律的研究和测报防控工作提供科学依据。【方法】逐日检查并统计自动虫情测报灯和高空探照灯下不同季节诱蛾量和高峰期,雌蛾卵巢发育进度和交尾率。【结果】2015-2017年自动虫情测报灯和高空探照灯下粘虫年度间第1到第4代诱蛾量无显著差别,高空探照灯在越冬代诱蛾量极显著地高于自动虫情测报灯,高峰期有明显的不同;越冬代雌蛾的卵巢发育2级以下的比率分别为20%和0、第4代为90%和100%,卡方测验无显著差异;高空探照灯诱捕到的第1至第3代雌蛾,卵巢发育2级以下的比率总是显著高于自动虫情测报灯,交尾率有类似的结果。【结论】两种诱测工具均表明漯河地区粘虫处于春季迁入和秋季第4代迁出状态;高空探照灯监测到的第1代到第3代粘虫更多处于过境和迁飞状态。     

Twenty new microsatellite loci for population structure and parentage studies of Parnassius apollo nevadensis (Lepidoptera; Papilionidae)

We characterized 20 new microsatellite loci isolated from Parnassius apollo nevadensis. The 20 loci displayed 2–12 alleles and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.22 to 0.89; the markers were amplified in nine multiplex reactions. The combined non-exclusion probabilities of this set are 0.001084 and 0.000005 for the first and second parents, respectively. This set of markers will thus enable other studies on reproductive strategies and population genetics in this endangered and previously understudied species. We show, for the first time, evidence of multiple paternity and that females may successfully copulate with more than one male despite the presence of mating plugs. Future studies on this mating behavior and population genetics of the species using the 20 loci here presented will be very important to define its conservation status and management measures.     

Proportioning whole-genome single-nucleotide-polymorphism diversity for the identification of geographic population structure and genetic ancestry

The identification of geographic population structure and genetic ancestry on the basis of a minimal set of genetic markers is desirable for a wide range of applications in medical and forensic sciences. However, the absence of sharp discontinuities in the neutral genetic diversity among human populations implies that, in practice, a large number of neutral markers will be required to identify the genetic ancestry of one individual. We showed that it is possible to reduce the amount of markers required for detecting continental population structure to only 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), by applying a newly developed ascertainment algorithm to Affymetrix GeneChip Mapping 10K SNP array data that we obtained from samples of globally dispersed human individuals (the Y Chromosome Consortium panel). Furthermore, this set of SNPs was able to recover the genetic ancestry of individuals from all four continents represented in the original data set when applied to an independent, much larger, worldwide population data set (Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain-Human Genome Diversity Project Cell Line Panel). Finally, we provide evidence that the unusual patterns of genetic variation we observed at the respective genomic regions surrounding the five most informative SNPs is in agreement with local positive selection being the explanation for the striking SNP allele-frequency differences we found between continental groups of human populations.