Limited Genetic Structure of Gypsy Moth Populations Reflecting a Recent History in Europe

Abstract

The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, a prominent polyphagous species native to Eurasia, causes severe impacts in deciduous forests during irregular periodical outbreaks. This study aimed to describe the genetic structure and diversity among European gypsy moth populations. Analysis of about 500 individuals using a partial region of the mitochondrial COI gene, L. dispar was characterized by low genetic diversity, limited population structure, and strong evidence that all extant haplogroups arose via a single Holocene population expansion event. Overall 60 haplotypes connected to a single parsimony network were detected and genetic diversity was highest for the coastal populations Croatia, Italy, and France, while lowest in continental populations. Phylogenetic reconstruction resulted in three groups that were geographically located in Central Europe, Dinaric Alps, and the Balkan Peninsula. In addition to recent events, the genetic structure reflects strong gene flow and the ability of gypsy moth to feed on about 400 deciduous and conifer species. Distinct genetic groups were detected in populations from Georgia. This remote population exhibited haplotypes intermediate to the European L. dispar dispar, Asian L. dispar asiatica, and L. dispar japonica clusters, highlighting this area as a possible hybridization zone of this species for future studies applying genomic approaches.

Shallow Genetic Structure among the European Populations of the Six-Toothed Bark Beetle Ips sexdentatus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

“…Recent studies [65] have shown that I. sexdentatus is the second most common scolytid species in international ports and in the associated wood waste landfills. As expected, human-mediated movement of individuals over long distances smoothened the genetic landscape, conforming populations to panmixia as has been already demonstrated [66,67].…”

Underestimated mitochondrial diversity in gypsy moth Lymantria dispar from Asia

“…The distributional range of the new lineage does not appear to be restricted to a single location but may encompass the Black Sea–Caspian region (and therefore can be referred to as the Black Sea–Caspian lineage). A recent study identified additional specimens from Georgia that also belong to the Black Sea–Caspian lineage (Lackovi'c et al ., ). Its taxonomic status should be examined in an integrative perspective (i.e.…”

Range‐wide population genomics of the spongy moth, Lymantria dispar (Erebidae): Implications for biosurveillance, subspecies classification and phylogeography of a destructive moth

“…Such genetic pattern could be a legacy of gene flow between Chinese and central Asian populations, through either natural or human‐aided movement. Our analyses also provided finer resolution among geographic populations in Europe than previously achieved (Lacković et al, 2018 ; Wu et al, 2015 , 2020 ). It should be noted that boundaries between some of these groups correspond to topographic barriers known to limit gene flow between animal populations, for example, the Pyrenees and Dinaric and Carpathian Alps (Hewitt, 2000 ; Lacković et al, 2015 ; Schmitt & Varga, 2012 ).…”

“…Many earlier studies have assessed population differentiation in this species, using different types of molecular markers and analytical approaches, as well as a varying assortments of focal populations, sample sizes and specimen ages (e.g. Bogdanowicz et al, 1997 ; Chen et al, 2016 ; Harrison et al, 1983 ; Harrison & ODell, 1989 ; Kang et al, 2017 ; Keena et al, 2008 ; Lacković et al, 2015 , 2018 ; Martemyanov et al, 2019 ; Picq et al, 2018 ; Wu et al, 2015 , 2020 ; Xu et al, 2019 ; Zhao et al, 2019 ). To our knowledge, however, the present work represents the most extensive and thorough assessment conducted to date.…”