Genetic differentiation of geographically separated populations of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

Genetic variation in the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) from 11 geographically separated sampling locations (Slovenia, France, Greece, Italy, Madeira, Japan, Guadeloupe, Galapagos, California, Brazil and Botswana) was studied by sequencing 16S and 28S rDNA, cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene fragments and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Sequencing revealed 11 distinct haplotypes clustering into lineages A, B and C. Lineage C was characteristic for a single analysed specimen from Botswana. Lineage B was detected in Japan, and it probably arose in Asia. Haplotypes of European and American specimens belonged to lineage A; specimens from France, Slovenia, Madeira and Brazil shared highly similar haplotypes (>99%) from subgroup A1, while all the specimens from Greece, California, Galapagos and Guadeloupe shared a haplotype from subgroup A2. RAPD data were more variable but consistent with mtDNA sequences, revealing the same clustering. They separated the Botswanian specimen from Japanese specimens and from a group of more closely related specimens from Europe and America. Sequence and RAPD results both support the African origin of N. viridula, followed by dispersal to Asia (lineage B) and, more recently, by expansion to Europe and America (lineage A). RAPD analysis revealed two highly supported subgroups in Japan, congruent with mtDNA lineages A2 and B, suggesting multiple colonization of Japan. Invariant sequences at the 28S rDNA combined with other results do not support the hypothesis that cryptic (sibling) species exist within the populations investigated in this study.

Mitochondrial lineages and DNA barcoding of closely related species in the mayfly genus Ephemerella (Ephemeroptera:Ephemerellidae)

“…The intraspecific genetic distances of each of three genes (16S rDNA, COI and Cyt b) of N. viridula and the interspecific distance between N. viridula and N. antennata were calculated by Taxon DNA 1.0 . Because the cryptic species from Botswana has been questioned by some recent studies (Kavar et al 2006), the inter-and intraspecific distances were re-calculated after removing the sequence from Botswana.…”

“…There are a lot of studies on the population differentiation of N. viridula from different countries (Kiritani and Yukawa 1963;Baoying et al 2000;Meglič et al 2001;SosaGómez et al 2005;Kavar et al 2006). Based on the current studies, the cryptic species from Botswana has been questioned (Kavar et al 2006). Nezara antennata is distributed mainly in the oriental region and the southeastern edge of the Palaearctic region.…”

“…It is present throughout tropical and subtropical regions of Eurasia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas, located in the latitude between 45°N and 45°S, and is an active invading species (Hoffman et al 1987;Panizzi 2000). There are a lot of studies on the population differentiation of N. viridula from different countries (Kiritani and Yukawa 1963;Baoying et al 2000;Meglič et al 2001;SosaGómez et al 2005;Kavar et al 2006). Based on the current studies, the cryptic species from Botswana has been questioned (Kavar et al 2006).…”

The interaction between diet breadth, geography and gene flow in herbivorous insects

“…During summer in some tropical regions, these insects even responded to high temperatures by aestivating (Singh 1972). Three distinct genetic lineages have been documented within N. viridula (Kavar et al 2006;Li et al 2010). However, the species status, morphology, geographical distribution, ecology, and mating behaviour of the insects concerned, has not been investigated for each of these lineages.…”

“…Only samples collected from the 16 populations with 19 or more individuals were used to generate these statistics (see Table S2.2) with the exception of the total number of alleles (∑Na). Figure 2.1), (ii) a 557 bp fragment of the more usual COI barcoding region (long fragment -LF, Figure S2.2), (iii) a 348bp fragment that was used in previous phylogenetic studies of N. viridula (short fragment -SF, Figure S2.1) (Kavar et al 2006;Li et al 2010). Both the LF and SF datasets are subsets of the OF dataset.…”