Population genetics strategies to characterize long-distance dispersal of insects

Abstract

Population genetics strategies offer an alternative and powerful approach for obtaining information about long-distance movement, and have been widely used for examining patterns and magnitude of insect dispersal over geographic and temporal scales. Such strategies are based on the principle that genetic divergence between local populations reflects the interplay between genetic drift and gene flow, and thus can function as an indicator of dispersal capacity. Relatively new approaches for inferring population history are widely applicable for documenting introduction routes of invasive or quarantine species. These approaches are based on genetic variability calculated from changes in gene frequency of subpopulations, measured using molecular genetic markers. Inferences from population genetics can supplement and corroborate conventional observational approaches for characterizing insect dispersal and have provided important clues to many questions raised in the field of behavior and ecology of insects. Here, we summarize our work on the boll weevil as a case study to illustrate the kinds of information on dispersal capacity and dispersal patterns that can be obtained from population genetics techniques that would be difficult or impossible to acquire in other ways. Then we provide examples of how the molecular markers and population genetics tools have been applied to answer immediate questions of relevance to eradication program managers. Though the latter are idiosyncratic to this particular pest, they demonstrate the kinds and range of problems that can be addressed in other systems through application of population genetics strategies. RightsWorks produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted. Population genetics strategies offer an alternative and powerful approach for obtaining information about long-distance movement, and have been widely used for examining patterns and magnitude of insect dispersal over geographic and temporal scales. Such strategies are based on the principle that genetic divergence between local populations reflects the interplay between genetic drift and gene flow, and thus can function as an indicator of dispersal capacity. Relatively new approaches for inferring population history are widely applicable for documenting introduction routes of invasive or quarantine species. These approaches are based on genetic variability calculated from changes in gene frequency of subpopulations, measured using molecular genetic markers. Inferences from population genetics can supplement and corroborate conventional observational approaches for characterizing insect dispersal and have provided important clues to many questions raised in the field of behavior and ecology of insects. Here, we summarize our work on the boll weevil as a case study to illustrate the kinds of information on dispersal capacity and dispersal patterns that can be obtained from population genetics tech...

Genetic variation within species and haplotypes of the Wiseana (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) complex and development of non‐sequenced based identification tools to aid field studies

“…This was initially interpreted as being the result of two separate introductions, from the South and North Islands respectively . Molecular markers can provide information about the origin of invasive species and monitor the geographic dispersal of insects . The phylogenetic analysis from this study (Fig.…”

Estimation of genetic divergence based on mitochondrial DNA variation for an invasive alien species, Metcalfa pruinosa (Say), in Korea

“…It would be an essential step for the establishment of a rational IAS management that can reduce time and cost, but it is difficult to trace or collect the invading species in real time due to temporal and spatial limitation. As an alternative tracing method, population genetic approaches have been widely used to track the origin of invasive species based on the principle of genetic divergence, which reflects genetic drift and gene flow (Lushai and Loxdale, 2004;Lowe and Allendorf, 2010) without using the direct or indirect observation of invading (Kim and Sappington, 2013). Many previous studies have employed molecular markers such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite markers to determine population origins.…”

Rate of dispersal of spotted knapweed biocontrol beetles (Larinus spp. Curculionidae) in Wisconsin

“…in release areas. The wider distribution of the host plant, the greater the potential ranging distance for individuals within the population to find unoccupied host plants (Kim and Sappington 2013). In Wisconsin, spotted knapweed was first reported in the early 1900's (Fassett 1927), and has since been reported in 69 of the 72 counties (WDNR 2015) with the potential of spread to over 24.2 million acres (Fig.…”

“…As Larinus spp. populations increase locally, the greater the potential ranging distance needed for an average individual within the population to find an unoccupied spotted knapweed plant (Kim and Sappington, 2013). In Wisconsin over 120,000 Larinus spp.…”