Investigating the Parasitoid Community Associated with the Invasive Mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis in Southern China

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is an emerging invasive insect pest in China. Hymenopteran parasitoids are the key organisms for suppressing populations of P. solenopsis in the field, and therefore could be used as biological agents. Accurate identification of the associated parasitoids is the critical step to assess their potential role in biological control. In this study, we facilitated the identification of the parasitoid composition of P. solenopsis using an integrated approach of species delimitation, combining morphology with molecular data. Eighteen Hymenoptera parasitoid species belonging to 11 genera of four families are recognized based on morphological examination and molecular species delimitation of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene and the 28S rDNA using the automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD) and the Bayesian Poisson tree processes model (bPTP). Among these species, eight species are primary parasitoids with Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) being the dominant taxon, while the other 10 species are probably hyperparasitoids, with a prevalence of Cheiloneurus nankingensis Li & Xu (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). These results indicate that parasitoid wasps associated with P. solenopsis from China are diverse and the integrated taxonomic approach applied in this study could enhance the accurate identification of these parasitoids that should be assessed in future biological control programs.

Download Full-text

Taxonomic reassessment of the freshwater mussel genus Unio (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in Russia and Ukraine based on morphological and molecular data

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4286.1.4 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4286 (1) ◽

pp. 93 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

OLGA KLISHKO ◽

MANUEL LOPES-LIMA ◽

ELSA FROUFE ◽

ARTHUR BOGAN ◽

LYUDMILA VASILIEV ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Freshwater Mussel ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Data Set ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Molecular Analyses ◽

Morphological Variations ◽

Mtdna Coi ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

The taxonomy of species within the genus Unio (Bivalvia: Unionidae: Unioninae) in Russia and Ukraine has been contentious due to the lack of correspondence between three concurrent yet divergent classifications. In order to clarify which classification system best reflects the evolutionary relationships among these taxa, we performed detailed morphological analyses on 720 Ukrainian and Russian specimens, complemented with molecular data (COI) from a selected number of specimens. The morphological character data set shows the existence of only three widespread species with slight eco-morphological variations. Statistical analyses of shell morphometric parameters and molecular analyses based on mtDNA COI gene fragment sequences confirm the existence of the same three species within a single genus, Unio, in Russia and Ukraine, that is U. pictorum, U. tumidus and U. crassus. Results from molecular analyses suggest the existence of an additional subgroup within the U. crassus lineage, U. crassus cf. courtilieri that deserves further research. The present integrated approach confirms the validity of the classification by Zhadin (1952) and rejects the complex classifications of Starobogatov et al. (2004) and Bogatov & Kijashko (2016).

Download Full-text

Multi-instar descriptions of cave dwelling Erythraeidae (Trombidiformes: Parasitengona) employing an integrative approach

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4717.1.10 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4717 (1) ◽

pp. 137-184 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

SAMUEL GEREMIAS DOS SANTOS COSTA ◽

HANS KLOMPEN ◽

LEOPOLDO FERREIRA DE OLIVEIRA BERNARDI ◽

LUCIANA CARDOSO GONÇALVES ◽

DANTE BATISTA RIBEIRO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Cytochrome Oxidase ◽

Molecular Analysis ◽

Species Delimitation ◽

Morphological Changes ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Larval Instars ◽

Individual Host

The life cycle of Parasitengona includes major morphological changes precluding an instar association based only on the morphology. This makes rearing and/or molecular data necessary to associate the heteromorphic instars. Most of the described species are known from either post larval instars or larva. Following a previous study on Palearctic Erythraeidae, in the present study the instar association was made through an integrative approach including rearing trials and molecular analysis of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene with the Bayesian Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (bGMYC) algorithm for species delimitation. Two new cave dwelling Erythraeidae (Trombidiformes: Parasitengona) species are described Lasioerythraeus jessicae sp. nov. and Leptus sidorchukae sp. nov. including all active instars. Additionally, a complete description of the previously unknown adults of Charletonia rocciai Treat & Flechtmann, 1979 is provided with notes on the larva and deutonymph. We also demonstrate experimentally that Ch. rocciai larvae are not attached to the same individual host during the entire feeding stage. We discuss the presence of troglomorphisms in Le. sidorchukae sp. nov.; and the distribution of the species.

Download Full-text

Homology difference analysis of invasive mealybug speciesPhenacoccus solenopsisTinsley in Southern China with COI gene sequence variability

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485314000674 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 105 (1) ◽

pp. 32-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

F.Z. Wu ◽

J. Ma ◽

X.N. Hu ◽

L. Zeng

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequences ◽

Gene Sequence ◽

Southern China ◽

Geographic Origin ◽

Mitochondrial Genes ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Sequence Variability ◽

Phenacoccus Solenopsis ◽

The Usa ◽

Coi Sequences

AbstractThe mealybug speciesPhenacoccus solenopsis(P. solenopsis) has caused much agricultural damage since its recent invasion in China. However, the source of this invasion remains unclear. This study uses molecular methods to clarify the relationships among different population ofP. solenopsisfrom China, USA, Pakistan, India, and Vietnam to determine the geographic origin of the introduction of this species into China.P. solenopsissamples were collected from 25 different locations in three provinces of Southern China. Samples from the USA, Pakistan, and Vietnam were also obtained. Parts of the mitochondrial genes for cytochrome oxidase I (COI) were sequenced for each sample. Homologous DNA sequences of the samples from the USA and India were downloaded from Gen Bank. Two haplotypes were found in China. The first was from most samples from the Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan populations in the China and Pakistan groups, and the second from a few samples from the Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan populations in the China, Pakistan, India, and Vietnam groups. As shown in the maximum likelihood of trees constructed using the COI sequences, these samples belonged to two clades. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that mostP. solenopsismealybugs in Southern China are probably closely related to populations in Pakistan. The variation, relationship, expansion, and probable geographic origin ofP. solenopsismealybugs in Southern China are also discussed.

Download Full-text

DNA-barcoding of forensically important blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the Caribbean Region

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.3516 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. e3516 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Sohath Z. Yusseff-Vanegas ◽

Ingi Agnarsson

Keyword(s):

Dna Barcoding ◽

Species Delimitation ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Caribbean Region ◽

Reference Database ◽

Correct Identification ◽

Accurate Identification ◽

The Caribbean

Correct identification of forensically important insects, such as flies in the family Calliphoridae, is a crucial step for them to be used as evidence in legal investigations. Traditional identification based on morphology has been effective, but has some limitations when it comes to identifying immature stages of certain species. DNA-barcoding, using COI, has demonstrated potential for rapid and accurate identification of Calliphoridae, however, this gene does not reliably distinguish among some recently diverged species, raising questions about its use for delimitation of species of forensic importance. To facilitate DNA based identification of Calliphoridae in the Caribbean we developed a vouchered reference collection from across the region, and a DNA sequence database, and further added the nuclear ITS2 as a second marker to increase accuracy of identification through barcoding. We morphologically identified freshly collected specimens, did phylogenetic analyses and employed several species delimitation methods for a total of 468 individuals representing 19 described species. Our results show that combination of COI + ITS2 genes yields more accurate identification and diagnoses, and better agreement with morphological data, than the mitochondrial barcodes alone. All of our results from independent and concatenated trees and most of the species delimitation methods yield considerably higher diversity estimates than the distance based approach and morphology. Molecular data support at least 24 distinct clades within Calliphoridae in this study, recovering substantial geographic variation forLucilia eximia, Lucilia retroversa, Lucilia ricaandChloroprocta idioidea, probably indicating several cryptic species. In sum, our study demonstrates the importance of employing a second nuclear marker for barcoding analyses and species delimitation of calliphorids, and the power of molecular data in combination with a complete reference database to enable identification of taxonomically and geographically diverse insects of forensic importance.

Download Full-text

DNA-barcoding of forensically important blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the Caribbean Region

10.7287/peerj.preprints.3014v1 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Sohath Z Yusseff-Vanegas ◽

Ingi Agnarsson

Keyword(s):

Dna Barcoding ◽

Species Delimitation ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Caribbean Region ◽

Reference Database ◽

Correct Identification ◽

Accurate Identification ◽

The Caribbean

Correct identification of forensically important insects, such as flies in the family Calliphoridae, is a crucial step for them to be used as evidence in legal investigations. Traditional identification based on morphology has been effective, but has some limitations when it comes to identify immature stages of certain species. DNA-barcoding, using COI, has demonstrated potential for rapid and accurate identification of Calliphoridae, however, this gene does not reliably distinguish among some recently diverged species, raising questions about its use for delimitation of species of forensic importance. To facilitate DNA based identification of Calliphoridae in the Caribbean; we developed a vouchered reference collection from across the region, and a DNA sequence database, and further added the nuclear ITS2 as a second marker to increase accuracy of identification through barcoding. We morphologically identified freshly collected specimens, did phylogenetic analyses and employed several species delimitation methods for a total of 468 individuals representing 19 described species. Our results show that combination of COI + ITS2 genes yields more accurate identification and diagnoses, and better agreement with morphological data, than the mitochondrial barcodes alone. All of our results from independent and concatenated trees and most of the species delimitation methods yield considerably higher diversity estimates than the distance based approach and morphology. Molecular data support at least 24 distinct clades within Calliphoridae in this study recovering substantial geographic variation for Lucilia eximia, Lucilia retroversa, Lucilia rica and Chloroprocta idioidea, probably indicating several cryptic species. In sum, our study demonstrates the importance employing a second nuclear marker for barcoding analyses and species delimitation of calliphorids and the power of molecular data in combination with a complete reference database to enable identification of taxonomically and geographically diverse insects of forensic importance.

Download Full-text

Species delimitation in Noccaea densiflora species complex (Brassicaceae) based on morphological and molecular data

Botany ◽

10.1139/cjb-2020-0184 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kurtuluş Özgişi ◽

Burcu Tarıkahya-Hacıoğlu ◽

Atila Ocak

Keyword(s):

Species Delimitation ◽

Species Complex ◽

Principal Component ◽

Haplotype Network ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Species Concepts ◽

Accurate Identification ◽

Network Analyses ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Multispecies Coalescent

The accurate identification of an organism is the basis of all biological disciplines. Although there have been many different species concepts and methods proposed, researchers generally choose the most appropriate concept according to their interests. However, each species concept has both advantages and disadvantages. In such cases, an integrated concept based on evidence obtained from different species concepts and methods is suitable for the accurate delimitation of a species. The biggest dilemma of integrated species delimitation methods is the inconsistency between species concepts and methods. Herein, the congruency of the different concepts and methods was tested to reveal the relationship of the Noccaea densiflora species complex. nrITS, chloroplast trnL-F, and trnQ-5'rps16 regions were used for species delimitation using the multispecies coalescent model (MSC) as implemented in two developed Bayesian Methods. ITS and trnL-F regions were also used for TCS haplotype network analyses. In addition to morphological measurements from different populations and vouchers, specific bioclimatic data values were also used for the principal component analysis. Based on all of the analyses, it was determined that only one population of N. densiflora and and one of N. microstyla were clearly distinct, whereas the rest of the specimens remain taxonomically uncertain.

Download Full-text

DNA-barcoding of forensically important blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the Caribbean Region

10.7287/peerj.preprints.3014 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Sohath Z Yusseff-Vanegas ◽

Ingi Agnarsson

Keyword(s):

Dna Barcoding ◽

Species Delimitation ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Caribbean Region ◽

Reference Database ◽

Correct Identification ◽

Accurate Identification ◽

The Caribbean

Correct identification of forensically important insects, such as flies in the family Calliphoridae, is a crucial step for them to be used as evidence in legal investigations. Traditional identification based on morphology has been effective, but has some limitations when it comes to identify immature stages of certain species. DNA-barcoding, using COI, has demonstrated potential for rapid and accurate identification of Calliphoridae, however, this gene does not reliably distinguish among some recently diverged species, raising questions about its use for delimitation of species of forensic importance. To facilitate DNA based identification of Calliphoridae in the Caribbean; we developed a vouchered reference collection from across the region, and a DNA sequence database, and further added the nuclear ITS2 as a second marker to increase accuracy of identification through barcoding. We morphologically identified freshly collected specimens, did phylogenetic analyses and employed several species delimitation methods for a total of 468 individuals representing 19 described species. Our results show that combination of COI + ITS2 genes yields more accurate identification and diagnoses, and better agreement with morphological data, than the mitochondrial barcodes alone. All of our results from independent and concatenated trees and most of the species delimitation methods yield considerably higher diversity estimates than the distance based approach and morphology. Molecular data support at least 24 distinct clades within Calliphoridae in this study recovering substantial geographic variation for Lucilia eximia, Lucilia retroversa, Lucilia rica and Chloroprocta idioidea, probably indicating several cryptic species. In sum, our study demonstrates the importance employing a second nuclear marker for barcoding analyses and species delimitation of calliphorids and the power of molecular data in combination with a complete reference database to enable identification of taxonomically and geographically diverse insects of forensic importance.

Download Full-text

Just the once will not hurt: DNA suggests species lumping over two oceans in deep-sea snails (Cryptogemma)

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society ◽

10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 190 (2) ◽

pp. 532-557 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paul Zaharias ◽

Yuri I Kantor ◽

Alexander E Fedosov ◽

Francesco Criscione ◽

Anders Hallan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Deep Sea ◽

Species Delimitation ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Shell Morphology ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Mitochondrial Coi ◽

Species Complexes ◽

Mitochondrial Coi Gene ◽

Taxonomic Studies

Abstract The practice of species delimitation using molecular data commonly leads to the revealing of species complexes and an increase in the number of delimited species. In a few instances, however, DNA-based taxonomy has led to lumping together of previously described species. Here, we delimit species in the genus Cryptogemma (Gastropoda: Conoidea: Turridae), a group of deep-sea snails with a wide geographical distribution, primarily by using the mitochondrial COI gene. Three approaches of species delimitation (ABGD, mPTP and GMYC) were applied to define species partitions. All approaches resulted in eight species. According to previous taxonomic studies and shell morphology, 23 available names potentially apply to the eight Cryptogemma species that were recognized herein. Shell morphometrics, radular characters and geographical and bathymetric distributions were used to link type specimens to these delimited species. In all, 23 of these available names are here attributed to seven species, resulting in 16 synonymizations, and one species is described as new: Cryptogemma powelli sp. nov. We discuss the possible reasons underlying the apparent overdescription of species within Cryptogemma, which is shown here to constitute a rare case of DNA-based species lumping in the hyper-diversified superfamily Conoidea.

Download Full-text

Notes on the molecular taxonomy of the Proclossiana eunomia complex (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae: Argynnini): analysis of DNA barcodes

Ukrainian Journal of Ecology ◽

10.15421/2018_206 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 222-232 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. V. Yakovlev ◽

N. A. Shapoval ◽

G. N. Kuftina ◽

A. V. Kulak ◽

S. V. Kovalev

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Molecular Taxonomy ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Wing Pattern ◽

Molecular Approach ◽

Dna Barcodes ◽

Morphological Differences ◽

Proclossiana Eunomia

The Proclossiana eunomia (Esper, 1799) complex is currently composed of the several subspecies distributed throughout Palaearсtic region and North America. Despite the fact that some of the taxa have differences in wing pattern and body size, previous assumptions on taxonomy not supported by molecular data. Therefore, the identity of certain populations of this complex has remained unclear and the taxonomic status of several recently described taxa is debated. Here, we provide insights into systematics of some Palaearctic members of this group using molecular approach, based on the analysis of the barcoding fragment of the COI gene taking into account known morphological differences.

Download Full-text

Factors influencing the occurrence of fall armyworm parasitoids in Zambia

Journal of Pest Science ◽

10.1007/s10340-020-01320-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Léna Durocher-Granger ◽

Tibonge Mfune ◽

Monde Musesha ◽

Alyssa Lowry ◽

Kathryn Reynolds ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Parasitoid Species ◽

Maize Crop ◽

Parasitism Rates ◽

Control Programmes ◽

Interest In Research

AbstractInvasive alien species have environmental, economic and social impacts, disproportionally threatening livelihood and food security of smallholder farmers in low- and medium-income countries. Fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive insect pest from the Americas, causes considerable losses on maize to smallholder farmers in Africa since 2016. The increased use of pesticides to control FAW in Africa raises concerns for health and environmental risks resulting in a growing interest in research on biological control options for smallholder farmers. In order to evaluate the occurrence of local natural enemies attacking FAW, we collected on a weekly basis FAW eggs and larvae during a maize crop cycle in the rainy season of 2018–2019 at four locations in the Lusaka and Central provinces in Zambia. A total of 4373 larvae and 162 egg masses were collected. For each location and date of collection, crop stage, the number of plants checked and amount of damage were recorded to analyse which factors best explain the occurrence of the natural enemy species on maize. Overall parasitism rates from local natural enemies at each location varied between 8.45% and 33.11%. We identified 12 different egg-larval, larval and larval-pupal parasitoid species. Location, maize growth stage, pest density and larval stage significantly affected parasitoid species occurrence. Our findings indicate that there is potential for increasing local populations of natural enemies of FAW through conservation biological control programmes and develop safe and practical control methods for smallholder farmers.

Download Full-text