High genetic diversity and strong genetic structure of Strongyllodes variegatus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) demonstrate the genetic mechanism of its distribution in oilseed rape production areas in China
Abstract Background : Strongyllodes variegatus (Fairmaire) is a major insect pest of oilseed rape in China. Despite its economic importance, the population genetics of this pest contributing to the development of suitable management and control strategies is poorly known. To understand the population genetics and assess the geographical patterns and genetic structure of S. variegates in China. Using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and cytochrome b region sequences as genetic markers, we analyzed population genetic diversity and structure from 437 individuals collected in 15 S. variegates populations located in different oilseed rape production areas in China. In addition, we estimated the demographic history using neutrality test and mismatch distribution analysis. Results : The high level of genetic diversity was detected among the mtDNA region sequences of S. variegates . The population structure analysis strongly suggested that three genetic and geographical regions occur with limited gene flow. The Mantel test showed that the genetic distance was greatly influenced by geographical distance. The demographic analyses showed that S. variegates experienced population fluctuation during the Pleistocene, which was likely to be related to the climatic changes. Conclusion : Overall, these results demonstrated that the strong population genetic structure of this beetle may attribute to the geographical barriers and subsequently adapt to the regional ecological conditions for the distribution of S. variegates in China. Keywords : Gene flow, Genetic differentiation, Haplotype, Oilseed rape, Population genetic pattern, Strongyllodes variegates