Population genetic structure and predominance of cyclical parthenogenesis in the bird cherry‐oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi in England

Abstract

Genetic diversity is the determinant for pest species' success and vector competence. Understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes that determine the genetic diversity is fundamental to help identify the spatial scale at which pest populations are best managed. In the present study, we present the first comprehensive analysis of the genetic diversity and evolution of Rhopalosiphum padi, a major pest of cereals and a main vector of the barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), in England. We have used a genotyping-by-sequencing approach to study whether (a) there is any underlying population genetic structure at a national and regional scale in this pest that can disperse long distances; (b) the populations evolve as a response to environmental change and selective pressures; and (c) the populations comprise anholocyclic lineages. Individual R. padi were collected using the Rothamsted Insect Survey's suction-trap network at several sites across England between 2004 and 2016 as part of the RIS long-term nationwide surveillance. Results identified two genetic clusters in England that mostly corresponded to a North-South division, although gene flow is ongoing between the two subpopulations. These genetic clusters do not correspond to different life cycle types, and cyclical parthenogenesis is predominant in England.

Involvement of chemosensory proteins in host plant searching in the bird cherry‐oat aphid

“…In addition, seven RpCSPs shared one conserved amino acid proline between the second and third "C". The seven CSP genes sequences were further confirmed by analyzing the R. padi genome published by Thorpe et al (2018) and Morales-Hojas et al (2020).…”

“…Thorpe et al (2018) andMorales-Hojas et al (2020). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the seven RpCSPs clustered in different clades (Fig.2).…”

Analysis of the Genetic Diversity of Two Rhopalosiphum Species from China and Europe Based on Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genes

“…Furthermore, little is known about the genetic divergence of this aphid. On the other hand, most genetic studies of R. padi have focused on its life cycles or combination of life cycles and geographical locations [ 2 , 13 , 26 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ], rather than the geographical locations alone [ 15 , 20 ]. There are four types of reproductive modes of R. padi in China [ 41 ]: (1) cyclical parthenogenesis; (2) obligate parthenogenesis; (3) mixture of cyclical parthenogenesis and obligate parthenogenesis; (4) obligate parthenogenesis with male production.…”

“…There are four types of reproductive modes of R. padi in China [ 41 ]: (1) cyclical parthenogenesis; (2) obligate parthenogenesis; (3) mixture of cyclical parthenogenesis and obligate parthenogenesis; (4) obligate parthenogenesis with male production. In addition, markers such as RAPD [ 23 ], SSR [ 6 , 26 , 42 ], ISSRs [ 25 ], and mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) [ 20 , 38 ], as well as the genotyping-by-sequencing approach [ 39 ], have been applied to reveal genetic variations of R. padi . So far, only two studies on the genetic differentiation of R. maidis based on allozymes [ 43 ], mtDNA, and chromosome number [ 21 ] have been published.…”

Elevated Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen Impact Wheat and Its Aphid Pest

“…Aphids are among the most important cereal pests worldwide, inflicting economic damage directly through feeding and through the spread of viruses. In temperate regions, the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, is one of the most important cereal pests (Morales-Hojas et al, 2020;Trębicki, 2020). It is distributed in all wheat growing regions worldwide and is the main vector of Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), responsible for significant losses in cereal yield and quality (Smith and Sward, 1982;Jones and Naidu, 2019).…”