Inferring native range and invasion scenarios with mitochondrial DNA: the case of T. solanivora successive north–south step-wise introductions across Central and South America

Abstract

Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an invasive species that attacks the tubers of the potato Solanum tuberosum. It is considered a serious pest of potato crops and stocks in all countries where it occurs. In the present study, we sequenced 541 individuals sampled across the T. solanivora distribution range, using the mitochondrial DNA marker Cytochrome b (Cytb) to delimit the area of species origin. We also analyzed the genetic structure of T. solanivora in its putative area of origin and described differences in haplotype diversity between samples from different geographic origins affected by the invasion. We observed a gap in the level of genetic diversity between Guatemalan samples (h between 0.77 and 0.97) and those from Costa-Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and the Canary Islands (h between 0 and 0.56). The number of haplotypes has decreased over the colonization process, ending with the observation of a single haplotype in Colombia, Ecuador and the Canary Islands. Consequently, the invasion of South American countries by T. solanivora is likely to have had a front-like step-wise progression, where the most recently invaded country becomes the source of subsequent invasion.

Microsatellite Analysis Reveals Population Structure and Population Expansion ofTecia solanivora1inSolanum tuberosumin Colombia

“…Torres-Leguizamón et al (2009) isolated and characterized nine microsatellites from Tecia solanivora (Povolny) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Central America (Costa Rica and Guatemala). T. solanivora is the most important insect pest affecting potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Central and South America, and Spain (Hilje 1994, Herrera 1997, Torres 1998, García et al 2002, Pozo and Zambrano 2002, Niño 2004, Bosa et al 2005, Valderrama et al 2007, Pulliandre et al 2008, Villanueva et al 2009, Torres-Leguizamón et al 2011) because larvae attack potato tubers in the field and storage, causing economic loss between 50 and 100% . The species was recently reported in Mexico (Roblero et al 2011), demonstrating the power of invasion by the insect.…”

“…The species was recently reported in Mexico (Roblero et al 2011), demonstrating the power of invasion by the insect. In Peru, the insect is quarantined, and might become a serious pest in America (Torres-Leguizamón et al 2011). Control options are based on intensive use of insecticide that might generate insect resistance and environmental problems (Valderrama et al 2007).…”

Tecia solanivora, Povolny (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): una revisión sobre su origen, dispersión y estrategias de control biológic

“…Para el caso particular de Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), [58], [59] se realizaron las caracterizaciones genéticas más conocidas con el objeto de hacer un seguimiento de la historia ecológica y genética de la invasión de ésta plaga en Centro y Sur América. Estos trabajos se realizaron, mediante el análisis de secuencias de una región del gen mitocondrial citocromo b (cytb) a partir de larvas de T. solanivora proveniente de países como Guatemala, Ecuador y Colombia.…”

Mitochondrial Genomes of Lepidopteran Insects Considered Crop Pests

“…Additionally, it presented a review about mitogenomes research done mainly over lepidopteran insects considered crop pests. The argument for presenting T. solanivora as a model is because this lepidopteran insect represents the most damaging potato (Solanum tuberosum) pest in both Central and South America and Spain [11,12]. T. solanivora was reported first time in Central America in 1956, affecting potato crops (S. tuberosum), which resulted in a direct effect on the economy.…”