A survey of molecular diversity and population genetic structure in North American clearwing moths (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) using cytochrome c oxidase I.

Linda A Lait,Paul D N Hebert,Tzen-Yuh Chiang

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0202281

Abstract

The phylogeographic structure of insect species in North America is poorly understood. The moth family Sesiidae (Lepidoptera) contains many economically important pests of agriculture and forestry, as well as beneficial species used in biological control. Despite their significance, this study constitutes the first broad-ranging population genetic study on North American sesiids. It probes the population structure of eight species of sesiid moths based on sequence variation in cytochrome c oxidase I (N = 191). Haplotype diversity levels were high in seven of the eight species, while nucleotide diversity varied considerably. Patterns ranged from limited structure and a starburst pattern in the raspberry crown borer Pennisetia marginata to highly geographically structured populations in the peachtree borer Synanthedon exitiosa and the maple callus borer Synanthedon acerni. These varied patterns suggest differing evolutionary histories and dispersal abilities. By elucidating population genetic structure and barriers to dispersal we can begin to devise conservation and management plans.

Highlights

Studies of population genetic structure can reveal where a species persisted through time, how it colonised new regions, and whether current populations experience ongoing gene flow
The present study aims to increase our understanding of the population genetic structure of this group by making use of existing DNA barcode records to examine levels of genetic variation and both past and contemporary isolation in North American Sesiidae
The present study shows that North American sesiids exhibit a wide diversity of genetic variation and population genetic structure

Summary

Introduction

Studies of population genetic structure can reveal where a species persisted through time, how it colonised new regions, and whether current populations experience ongoing gene flow. Many species had to persist in ice-free refugia, primarily located south of the ice sheets and in a large ice-free region in Beringia, recent studies have shown that periglacial regions on both coasts and in the Arctic may have supported taxa [1, 6,7,8]. Contemporary dispersal capabilities are reflected in the population genetic structure of a species. Vagile species such as birds, large mammals, and marine fishes often show limited geographic patterns [9,10,11,12], whereas species with restricted ranges, those affected by either physical or non-physical barriers, and those with poor dispersal.

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