Geographical origin of an introduced insect pest, Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel), determined by RAPD analysis

Abstract

The Argentine stem weevil, Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important introduced pasture pest in New Zealand. In this study geographical populations of this species were analysed using polymerase chain reaction-based randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), in an attempt to determine the geographical origin of the pest. Morphologically indistinguishable individuals were collected from nine South American, five New Zealand and one Australian populations. Ten primers were screened for usefulness, two of which revealed significant, scorable polymorphisms between these populations. The results indicated that the sampled New Zealand L. bonariensis populations originated from the east coast of South America.

Unusual mitochondrial genome in introduced and native populations of Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel)

“…Sample collection and storage Argentine stem weevil populations described previously (Williams et al, 1994) were used for this study.…”

“…Total DNA was isolated from individuals as described previously (Williams et al, 1994) with the exception that the DNA was resuspended in 20 /1L TE (10 mrvi Tris, 1 mr EDTA, pH 8.0) containing 0.5 mg!mL DNase-free RNase A.…”

“…bonariensis (Williams et a!., 1994) using RAPD (Williams et a!., 1990;Welsh & McClelland, 1990) was the first reported study of genetic variation in this species, and revealed informative levels of polymorphism. Based on the RAPD analysis of total DNA, the Rio de la Plata region on the east coast of South America was identified as the geographical source for this pest in New Zealand (Williams et al, 1994).…”

“…Based on the RAPD analysis of total DNA, the Rio de la Plata region on the east coast of South America was identified as the geographical source for this pest in New Zealand (Williams et al, 1994).…”

“…Fifteen populations from South America, New Zealand and Australia were examined in an effort to determine the geographical origin of the species in New Zealand. Our previously reported RAPD analysis of these populations (Williams et al, 1994) revealed that the source of the pest was the Rio de la Plata on the east coast of South America. As a second approach to examining genetic variation, RFLP analysis of the mitochondrial genome, using the digoxigenin-labelled boll weevil mitochondrial genome as a probe, was also performed.…”