Many plant-feeding insect species considered to be polyphagous are in fact composed of genetically differentiated sympatric populations that use different hosts and between which gene flow still exists. We studied the population genetic structure of the cotton-melon aphid Aphis gossypii that is considered as one of the most polyphagous aphid species. We used eight microsatellites to analyse the genetic diversity of numerous samples of A. gossypii collected over several years at a large geographical scale on annual crops from different plant families. The number of multilocus genotypes detected was extremely low and the genotypes were found to be associated with host plants. Five host races were unambiguously identified (Cucurbitaceae, cotton, eggplant, potato and chili- or sweet pepper). These host races were dominated by asexual clones. Plant transfer experiments using several specialized clones further confirmed the existence of host-associated trade-offs. Finally, both genetic and experimental data suggested that plants of the genus Hibiscus may be used as refuge for the specialized clones. Resource abundance is discussed as a key factor involved in the process of ecological specialization in A. gossypii.

Aphis gossypii is an aphid species that is found throughout the world and is extremely polyphagous. It is considered a major pest of cotton and cucurbit species. In Europe, A. gossypii is assumed to reproduce exclusively by apomictic parthenogenesis. The present study investigates the genetic diversity of A. gossypii in a microgeographic, fragmented habitat consisting of eight glasshouses of cucurbit crops. This analysis, which was based on the results from seven microsatellite loci, has confirmed that A. gossypii populations in southern France are primarily asexual, as only 12 nonrecombinant genotypic classes (clones) were identified from 694 aphids. Moreover, a high proportion of the aphids (87%) had one of three common genotypes. No significant correlation was found between genotypic class and host plant species. Within a glasshouse population of A. gossypii, a significant reduction in clonal diversity was observed as the spring/summer season progressed. The final predominance of a clone could result from interclonal competition. At the microgeographic level (i.e. glasshouses within a 500-m radius), significant genetic subdivision was detected and could be attributed to founder effects and the limitation of gene flow imposed by the enclosed nature of the glasshouse structure. Finally, the three common clones of A. gossypii detected in 1996 reappeared in spring 1997 following the winter extinction, together with rare clones that had not previously been seen. The probability that A. gossypii overwinters within refuges at a microgeographic scale from which populations are renewed each spring is discussed.

Samples of the aphid Aphis gossypii (Glover) were collected from different host plants at 18 locations in southern France, La Réunion, Portugal and Laos. RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) patterns of the 480 aphids were obtained using three random primers. A large number of RAPD bands were shared by all aphids of the 18 populations, but some RAPD bands appeared to be population specific. Over all aphids, a total of 37 polymorphic bands were identified and defined 142 RAPD phenotypes. A cluster analysis based on genetic distance revealed that the 18 aphid populations were divided into two groups, depending on whether they were collected on a cucurbit host plant. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was also performed and confirmed the differentiation into two groups. Several RAPD bands that were obtained using random primer A11 could be considered as diagnostic loci as they were fixed in populations collected on cucurbits and were always absent in those collected on noncucurbit host plants. These results represent the first evidence for genetic structuring within the species A. gossypii, according to host‐plant type.

The study of intraspecific variation with respect to host plant utilization in polyphagous insects is crucial for understanding evolutionary patterns of insect-plant interactions. Aphis gossypii (Glover) is a cosmopolitan and extremely polyphagous aphid species. If host plant species or families constitute selective regimes to these aphids, genetic differentiation and host associated adaptation may occur. In this study, we describe the genetic structure of A. gossypii collected in six localities in Tunisia on different vegetable crops, on citrus trees and on Hibiscus. The aim was to determine if the aphid populations are structured in relation to the host plants and if such differentiation is consistent among localities. The genetic variability of A. gossypii samples was examined at eight microsatellite loci. We identified only 11 multilocus genotypes among 559 individuals. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, linkage disequilibria and absence of recombinant genotypes, confirmed that A. gossypii reproduces by continuous apomictic parthenogenesis. Genetic differentiation between localities was not significant, whereas a strong differentiation was observed between host plant families (0.175

polymorpha individuals as D. bugensis. The high species specificity of these new microsatellite markers will help to minimize the potential error associated with such complications. ReferencesBaldwin BS, Black M, Sanjur O et al. (1996) A diagnostic molecular marker for zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and potentially co-occurring bivalves: mitochondrial COI. Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology, 5, 9Ð14. Claxton WT, Martel A, Dermott RM, Boulding EG (1997) Discrimination of field-collected juveniles of two introduced dreissenids (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis) using mitochondrial DNA and shell morphology. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 54, 1280Ð1288. Hebert PDN, Muncaster BW, Mackie GL (1989) Ecological and genetic studies on Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas): a new mollusc in the Great Lakes. A review of the biology and ecology of the quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis), a second species of freshwater dreissenid introduced to North America.