Abstract
The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, a prominent polyphagous species native to Eurasia, causes severe impacts in deciduous forests during irregular periodical outbreaks. This study aimed to describe the genetic structure and diversity among European gypsy moth populations. Analysis of about 500 individuals using a partial region of the mitochondrial COI gene, L. dispar was characterized by low genetic diversity, limited population structure, and strong evidence that all extant haplogroups arose via a single Holocene population expansion event. Overall 60 haplotypes connected to a single parsimony network were detected and genetic diversity was highest for the coastal populations Croatia, Italy, and France, while lowest in continental populations. Phylogenetic reconstruction resulted in three groups that were geographically located in Central Europe, Dinaric Alps, and the Balkan Peninsula. In addition to recent events, the genetic structure reflects strong gene flow and the ability of gypsy moth to feed on about 400 deciduous and conifer species. Distinct genetic groups were detected in populations from Georgia. This remote population exhibited haplotypes intermediate to the European L. dispar dispar, Asian L. dispar asiatica, and L. dispar japonica clusters, highlighting this area as a possible hybridization zone of this species for future studies applying genomic approaches.
Highlights
The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera, Erebidae), is a polyphagous pest feeding on more than 400 plant species with a preference for species within the genus Quercus [1]
Three subspecies are recognized throughout the temperate part of the world due to their economic importance; European (L. dispar dispar) and two Asian (L. dispar asiatica in Russia and Asia and L. dispar japonica in Japan), and each of them is described separately based on morphological and behavioral traits [1]
Despite the relatively large sample, we were able to determine only limited inferences of phylogeographic structure among localities in Europe, with at least two refugial areas contributing to the current genetic structure of gypsy moth
Summary
The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera, Erebidae), is a polyphagous pest feeding on more than 400 plant species with a preference for species within the genus Quercus [1]. L. dispar is considered one of the most notorious forest pests worldwide [4], with outbreaks in its native range being common in the oak forests of the Mediterranean region, while in Asia the broader spectrum of potential hosts renders gypsy moth capable of even more massive outbreaks [5]. The potential of gypsy moth populations to erupt varies greatly [6] as in cases of recent invasion an outbreak can be sustained [7]. For all these reasons, gypsy moth, has been in the spotlight of various investigations ranging from population dynamics [8] and dispersal ecology [9,10] to the distribution of its genetic. Female flight capability turned out to be the most important behavioral trait distinguishing Asian subspecies from European [10,14]
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