Abstract
Euhrychiopsis lecontei (milfoil weevils) have been used as a native, augmentative biological control agent in the management of the invasive aquatic weed, Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil), since the 1990’s. Although much research has been conducted on E. lecontei’s life history and effectiveness as a biological control agent, detailed genetic characterization of the weevil and its close relatives has been lacking in the literature. The current studies sought to fill this gap in knowledge by collecting molecular genetic data for this important native insect. Characterization of interspecific diversity, via the examination of mitochondrial DNA of E. lecontei and other members of the tribe Phytobiini, suggest that the North American members of this group are sister species (E. lecontei and Parenthis vestitus) as are European members (Eubrychius velutus and Phytobius leucogaster) of the group. This study therefore supports the hypothesis that this group of milfoil specialists shares a recent common ancestor that colonized aquatic habitats and utilized one or more Myriophyllum species as a host. Intraspecific studies utilizing mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA of E. lecontei were also performed. These data indicate that while the species shows some geographic structuring on a continental scale, population-level studies indicate high levels of panmixia with relatively high rates of inbreeding. Since the continued management of Eurasian watermilfoil represents a large economic and ecological burden across the United States and Canada, studies such as these are of particular value in determining if E. lecontei has suitable viability as a native biological control agent for this invasive plant.
บทคัดย่อEuhrychiopsis lecontei (milfoil weevils) have been used as a native, augmentative biological control agent in the management of the invasive aquatic weed, Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil), since the 1990’s. Although much research has been conducted on E. lecontei’s life history and effectiveness as a biological control agent, detailed genetic characterization of the weevil and its close relatives has been lacking in the literature. The current studies sought to fill this gap in knowledge by collecting molecular genetic data for this important native insect. Characterization of interspecific diversity, via the examination of mitochondrial DNA of E. lecontei and other members of the tribe Phytobiini, suggest that the North American members of this group are sister species (E. lecontei and Parenthis vestitus) as are European members (Eubrychius velutus and Phytobius leucogaster) of the group. This study therefore supports the hypothesis that this group of milfoil specialists shares a recent common ancestor that colonized aquatic habitats and utilized one or more Myriophyllum species as a host. Intraspecific studies utilizing mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA of E. lecontei were also performed. These data indicate that while the species shows some geographic structuring on a continental scale, population-level studies indicate high levels of panmixia with relatively high rates of inbreeding. Since the continued management of Eurasian watermilfoil represents a large economic and ecological burden across the United States and Canada, studies such as these are of particular value in determining if E. lecontei has suitable viability as a native biological control agent for this invasive plant.
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