Basal divergence of Eriophyoidea (Acariformes, Eupodina) inferred from combined partial COI and 28S gene sequences and CLSM genital anatomy

Abstract

Eriophyoids are an ancient group of highly miniaturized, morphologically simplified and diverse phytoparasitic mites. Their possible numerous host-switch events have been accompanied by considerable homoplastic evolution. Although several morphological cladistic and molecular phylogenetic studies attempted to reconstruct phylogeny of Eriophyoidea, the major lineages of eriophyoids, as well as the evolutionary relationships between them, are still poorly understood. New phylogenetically informative data have been provided by the recent discovery of the early derivative pentasetacine genus Loboquintus, and observations on the eriophyoid reproductive anatomy. Herein, we use COI and D1-2 rRNA data of 73 eriophyoid species (including early derivative pentasetacines) from Europe, the Americas and South Africa to reconstruct part of the phylogeny of the superfamily, and infer on the basal divergence of eriophyoid taxa. In addition, a comparative CLSM study of the female internal genitalia was undertaken in order to find putative apomorphies, which can be used to improve the taxonomy of Eriophyoidea. The following molecular clades, marked by differences in genital anatomy and prodorsal shield setation, were found in our analyses: Loboquintus(Pentasetacus((Eriophyidae + Diptilomiopidae)(Phytoptidae-1, Phytoptidae-2))). The results of this study suggest that the superfamily Eriophyoidea comprises basal paraphyletic pentasetacines (Loboquintus and Pentasetacus), and two large monophyletic groups: Eriophyidae s.l. [containing paraphyletic Eriophyidae sensu Amrine et al. 2003 (=Eriophyidae s.str.) and Diptilomiopidae sensu Amrine et al. 2003] and Phytoptidae s.l. [containing monophyletic Phytoptidae sensu Boczek et al. 1989 (=Phytoptidae s.str.) and Nalepellidae sensu Boczek et al. 1989]. Putative morphological apomorphies (including genital and gnathosomal characters) supporting the clades revealed in molecular analyses are briefly discussed.

Gall mite Fragariocoptes setiger (Eriophyoidea) changes leaf developmental program and regulates gene expression in the leaf tissues of Fragaria viridis (Rosaceae)

“…About 10% of the 5000 described species of eriophyoid mites induce formation of galls on host plants including erinea, leaf‐rolling, big buds, pouch galls and various others (Westphal, ; Petanović & Kielkiewicz, ). The results of recent molecular phylogenetic studies on Eriophyoidea suggest that the gain and loss of the ability to cause galls happened in parallel to different unrelated lineages of eriophyoid mites and thus influenced speciation (Li et al, , ; Chetverikov et al, , ; Cvrković et al, ).…”

Confocal microscopy reveals uniform male reproductive anatomy in eriophyoid mites (Acariformes, Eriophyoidea) including spermatophore pump and paired vasa deferentia

“…CLSM observations on partially cleared eriophyoids indicate the presence of paired vasa deferentia joining these two apertures and a voluminous testis; previous PC LM observations on Pentasetacus mites indicate that this early derivative genus also possesses paired vasa deferentia (Chetverikov 2014a). Additionally, the genital musculature of Trisetacus and Cecidophyopsis, which belong to two phylogenetically remote groups of eriophyoids (Li et al 2014;Chetverikov et al 2014c), are remarkably similar and comprise peculiar visceral musculature (net-like musculature of testis, spermatophore pump and constrictor) and skeletal muscles (including three newly described oblique muscles). Overall, these data suggest that eriophyoids possess a uniform male reproductive anatomy.…”

Detection of the Lychee Erinose Mite, Aceria litchii (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae) in Florida, USA: A Comparison with Other Alien Populations

“…Amplification of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was carried out with the primer and conditions reported by Navajas et al [24].The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) along with the 5 terminal region of 5.8S were amplified with the primer sets and conditions reported by Fenton et al [25]. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) along with the 5 terminal region of the 28S nuclear ribosomal rDNA (28S) were amplified with the primer sets and conditions reported by Sonnenberg et al [26] and Chetverikov et al [27]. DNA was amplified on a nexus G×2 thermocycler (Eppendorf, Hamburg, AG) in reaction mixtures (25 µL) containing the following components: 12.5 µL Platinum SuperFi Green PCR master Mix (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) 0.4 µM each primer and 3 µL DNA template.…”