Molecular-genetic analysis of diff erent species of lace bugs (Hеteroptera: Tingidae) by RAPD-markers

Abstract

Studying the genetics of harmful insects populations is of great importance in understanding the migratory processes of species, especially invasive ones, and the fl ow of genes between populations. In this regard, one of the priorities of the genetics of arthropod populations is to assess the genetic similarity of individuals, genetic diversity, and DNApolymorphism. Universal RAPD-primers (OPA07, OPA09 and OPA18) for lace bugs (Tingidae family) have been revealed. In order to study DNA-polymorphism and the genetic diversity of lace bugs using selected primers, a comparative PCR-analysis of four species of bugs of this family (Corythucha arcuata Say, Corythucha ciliata Say, Stephanitis pyri F., Monosteira unicostata Mulsant et Rey) was carried out. It was shown that the species Monosteara unicostata diff ered from the others in the lowest level of DNA polymorphism and genetic diversity. The high values of DNA polymorphism and genetic diversity of the other three species indicate a high migratory ability of these insect species and a signifi cant intraspecifi c gene drift. In the research process, clustering of lace bugs species based on the data obtained using RAPD-markers was carried out in order to determine their genetic relationship. Cluster analysis of the data was performed by the UPGMA-method using the Popgene program. We found out that the genetically closest species were the species of the genus Corythucha, and the most distant from others was the species Monosteira unicostata. It was shown that RAPD-PCR-method can be successfully used in the analysis of interspecifi c diff erences of insects, along with other molecular-genetic methods. The performed studies allowed us to assess the eff ectiveness of the RAPD-primers identifi ed in the work for diff erentiating the species of lace bugs and to obtain information on the genetic relationship of the Tingidae family species. The primers identifi ed in the work are also eff ective for assessing DNA-polymorphism and genetic diversity of insects of the Tingidae family. This method of molecular-genetic diagnosis allows carrying out a more eff ective monitoring of pests of this insect family.