Population genetics and phylogeography of Tabanus bromius (Diptera: Tabanidae)

Abstract

Background Tabanus bromius (Diptera: Tabanidae) is one of the most notable Tabanidae species of veterinary and medical importance distributed throughout the Palearctic region. In this study, we investigate the genetic diversity and the phylogeographic structure of T. bromius sampled from Turkey, Croatia, and Iran. Methods For this purpose, a 686-base-pair (bp) fragment of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) and 1339 bp of the nuclear DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were sequenced from 247 individuals representing 15 populations. Results The sequences generated 169 COI haplotypes and 90 ITS alleles. A higher haplotype/allele diversity (h = 0.9909 for the COI gene and Ad = 0.8193 for the ITS region) compared to a low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.020605 for COI gene and π = 0.013667 for the ITS region), present for a high number of singleton and private haplotypes/alleles imply population expansion in the past. The results of phylogenetic analysis led to the uncovering of geographically significant groupings of lineages with regard to the entrance of the species into Anatolia and the location of major geographic barriers. According to current data, the species appears to have entered Turkey from Caucasia and Iran. A molecular clock applied to the COI data suggests that T. bromius diverged from the outgroup species nearly 8.83 million years ago, around the end of the Miocene era. Conclusions The results of this study indicate remarkable genetic diversity across the studied range of the species. High haplotype/allele versus low nucleotide diversity and demographic analyses implied that the T. bromius populations have undergone a series of expansions and retreats in the past. Our current findings suggest that T. bromius split from outgroups around the Late Miocene. Subsequent diversification events during the climatic and environmental fluctuation times of the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene periods also significantly influenced the species, resulting in the formation of some major genetic lineages. The phylogenetic analyses indicate that T. bromius most likely entered Turkey from the Caucasus region and Iran. Graphical Abstract

DNA barcoding of the horsefly fauna (Diptera, Tabanidae) of Croatia with notes on the morphology and taxonomy of selected species from Chrysopsinae and Tabaninae

“…Analyses of various molecular markers have been used worldwide in the study of the taxonomy, phylogeography and phylogenetics of horseflies ( Sofield et al 1984 ; Wiegmann et al 2000 ; Iranpour et al 2004 ; Cywinska et al 2010 ; Morita et al 2016 ; Sanal Demirci et al 2021 ); however, many phylogenetic aspects of this family still remain unclear ( Morita et al 2016 ; Votýpka et al 2019 ). One of the most comprehensive studies of phylogenetic relationships within the family Tabanidae and its subfamilies and tribes was conducted using several genetic markers: mitochondrial COI , nuclear 28S rRNA, CAD (carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2, aspartate transcarbamylase and dihydroorotase), and AATS (alanyl-tRNA synthetase) ( Morita et al 2016 ).…”

Geographic factors and climatic fluctuation drive the genetic structure and demographic history of Cycas taiwaniana (Cycadaceae), an endemic endangered species to Hainan Island in China

“…It provides the maximum and accurate conservation strategy by using DNA data to study the genetic structure and the factors causing the genetic change in populations. Population genetics is becoming more and more popular in animals and plants conservation (Qiao et al, 2021 ; Sanal Demirci et al, 2021 ; Shan & Diao, 2011 ; Wang et al, 2021 ) and is also widely used in cycads (Feng et al, 2017 ; Wang et al, 2019 ; Xiao et al, 2020 ).…”

Molecular identification and phylogeography of Gonipterus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Brazil

“…Within the G. scutellatus complex, the use of COI gene sequencing contributed to improving knowledge about the species taxonomy and geographic distribution, assisting pest management strategies (Mapondera et al 2012; Schröder et al 2020). Furthermore, COI gene fragment sequencing allows exploration of the phylogeography of a species to understand the natural and anthropic factors that affect current species distributions (Avise 2009; Andrade‐Souza et al 2017; Soares et al 2018; Marquesini et al 2022; Sanal Demirci et al 2021). Phylogeographic studies of native and exotic agricultural and forest pests have been highly important for decision‐making in integrated pest management (IPM) (Corrêa et al 2019; Dittrich‐Schröder et al 2018; Karlsson Green et al 2020).…”