Phylogenetic and biogeographic analysis of the genus Phytoseiulus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

biogeographic analysis of the genus Phytoseiulus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) -Zoologica Scripta, 39, 450-461. The taxonomy of the genus Phytoseiulus (sub-family Amblyseiinae), has a tumultuous and confused history. This genus currently contains four species, but in previous revisions it contained five, sometimes grouped in two genera. There are no thorough phylogenetic analyses available for the group, analyses against which taxonomic and evolutionary hypotheses could be tested. The present study aims to apply morphological and molecular data to determine phylogenetic relationships among the four species presently included in this genus plus Afroseiulus robertsi, which was previously included in this genus. The new analyses show that the species of the genus Phytoseiulus do not constitute a monophyletic group. A delineation between (i) P. macropilis, P. persimilis, P. fragariae and (ii) P. longipes and A. robertsi is observed. Biogeographic data sets showed that the Neotropical and Afrotropical regions contain the highest diversity of species of Phytoseiulus and of their host plants. Consequently, the western part of Gondwana is hypothesized to be the probable centre of origin for this taxon.

Morphological and molecular diagnostics of Phytoseiulus persimilis and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

“…All these elements, associated with the clear delineation also obtained with the Cytb mtDNA, seem thus to support the species status of P. persimilis and P. macropilis. The weak genetic distance between them would confirm that these two taxa are two sister species, phylogenetically very close and recently diverged (Takahashi and Chant 1993a, c;Kanouh et al 2010). …”

“…Even if several populations of this latter species had been considered, all of them originated from the West Palearctic region. Yet, P. persimilis could have originated from the West Palearctic or from the Neotropical region (Kanouh et al 2010). For this, in further experiments, it would be interesting to take into account also specimens of P. persimilis from the Neotropical region.…”

Morphological, molecular and cross-breeding analysis of geographic populations of coconut-mite associated predatory mites identified as Neoseiulus baraki: evidence for cryptic species?

“…Hence, molecular and other tools may be helpful for taxonomic identification ). These techniques have allowed researchers to look beyond morphological similarities by searching for genetic and other differences to answer taxonomic questions (Navajas et al 1996(Navajas et al , 1998Hinomoto et al 2001Hinomoto et al , 2007Jeyaprakash and Hoy 2002;Noronha et al 2003;Ramadan et al 2004;Klimov et al 2004;Tixier et al 2006aTixier et al , 2010Ros and Breeuwer 2010;Okassa et al 2009Okassa et al , 2010Okassa et al , 2011Kanouh et al 2010). Here, we address the question whether predatory mites collected from different geographic localities and previously identified as Neoseiulus baraki Athias-Henriot represent more than one closely related species.…”

Phylogenetic diversity of cassava green mite, <i>Mononychellus progresivus</i> from different geographical sites in east Africa

“…While the COI region is acclaimed as the DNA region for species bar coding within the range of 600 codon base pairs, its utility continue to be tested both in phylogeny and genetic studies in arthropods and vertebrates (Navajas et al, 1996;Morrison, 2006). Kanouh et al (2010) reported some intraspecies biogeographic variation of the predator genus Phytoseiulus, showing intra-geographic nucleotide divergence. Spider mite acaricide toxicity on red tomato spotted mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, in Iran has shown reduced efficacious control as populations develop more chemical resistance .…”