Mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (EF-1α) DNA variability of Rhopalosiphum padi and Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Lithuania

Abstract

Partial sequences of mitochondrial COI and nuclear EF-1α genes have been analysed across the Lithuanian samples of Rhopalosiphum padi and R. nymphaeae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). In addition, samples from the adjacent countries of the Eastern Baltic region of Europe (Latvia, Estonia and Poland) and available sequences from GenBank and Bold Systems were used. The range of intraspecific pairwise R. padi COI sample (n = 44) divergences (K2P model) was 0.00–2.49% (average 0.61%). Out of 10 haplotypes, one was predominant (n = 25), with Worldwide distribution. The range of intraspecific pairwise R. nymphaeae COI sample (n = 20) divergences (K2P model) was 0.00–1.31% (average 0.22%). Out of 6 haplotypes, one was predominant (n = 13), sampled in Lithuania, Ukraine and Turkey (Asian part). The range of intraspecific pairwise sample divergences (K2P model) of EF-1α fragment was 0.00–0.40% (average 0.10%) for R. padi (n = 20) and 0.00–0.60% (average 0.13%) for R. nymphaeae (n = 17). Two COI haplotypes (including the Worldwide distributed one) and three EF-1α haplotypes (including the most common one) were detected in Lithuanian populations of R. padi. The present study suggests that R. padi populations from the Eastern Baltic region are predominantly holocyclic.