Cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) reveals sharp differentiation among climatically isolated populations of Habrobracon hebetor (Haymenoptera: Braconidae)

Paper ID : 1902-24IPPC (R2)
Authors
1natural resources of Hormozgan
2Assistant Professor of Forest Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
3Assistant Professor of Hormozgan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Abbas, Iran
4Plant Protection Research Department, Hormozgan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Abbas, Iran
Abstract
Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an ectoparasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae and is widely used in biological pest control. Little information is available on the genetic diversity of climatically isolated populations of H. hebetor. In the present study, we assess the genetic structure and diversity of geographically distinct populations of H. hebetor collected from climatically different regions of Iran. To this end, 19 populations of H. hebetor (Dehloran, Hamadan, Minab, Rudan, Ahvaz, Sari, Semnan, Bandar ‌Lengeh, Haji Abbad, Jiroft, Shiraz, Sarpol-e‌Zahab, Gorgan, Isfahan, Urmia, Kahurestan, Taziyan, Isin and Sarkhun) were collected from natural niches. For each population, we sequenced a ~660 base pair fragment using gene markers of Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI) successfully. Analysis of molecular variance revealed sharp differentiation among H. hebetor populations. Most of the observed variation resided among (92.65%, P< 0.001) and some within (7.65%, P <0.001) populations. Ahvaz, Jiroft, Minab populations were differed significantly from the other populations and exhibited the most between population variation. The highest within population variation was observed in Kahurestan, Isin and Shiraz populations. A Mantel test showed a significant positive correlation between genetic and geographic distances (r = 0.47, P < 0.001). The phylogenetic analysis clustered the populations into two major groups (A and B), the major part was assigned to group A. Group B mainly included the populations from southern Iran. Based on these results, we conclude that H. hebetor in Iran is comprised of many diverse populations. These may be successfully applied in innundative release programs.
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