Genetic variation within species and haplotypes of the Wiseana (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) complex and development of non-sequenced based identification tools to aid field studies
BACKGROUND: Porina is the common name used to describe moths and caterpillars of the seven endemic species and three haplotypes of Wiseana in New Zealand. Several species have adapted to eating introduced pasture plants however a paucity of defining morphological characteristics has meant that porina are grouped as indistinguishable species within a complex. This study aimed to develop non-sequencing identification methods for porina species.
RESULTS: We sequenced 1,718 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase genes for all Wiseana species and haplotypes using 75 specimens collected from 42 sites throughout New Zealand. Two identification methods were developed; the high resolution melt method uses 106 bp of the cytochrome oxidase I gene, and the restriction fragment polymorphism method uses a larger 700 bp region from the same gene. Validation was performed on a further 275 specimens. Melt curve profiles were more susceptible to population heterogeneity than digest results. In both methods, W. mimica and W. jocosa were inseparable. W. fuliginea grouped with W. mimica and W. jocosa in the restriction method, however the melt curve profile differed.
CONCLUSION: Until now, ecological studies of porina at the species level have been implausible. Our non-sequencing based methods allow rapid identification of moths and caterpillars to species and haplotype level, paving the way for ecological studies of pasture pest species and the development of species-specific mitigation strategies.
History
Rights statement
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Language
English
Does this contain Māori information or data?
No
Publisher
Wiley
Journal title
Pest Management Science
ISSN
1526-498X
Citation
Richards, N. K., Mansfield, S., Townsend, R. J., & Ferguson, C. M. (2017). Genetic variation within species and haplotypes of the Wiseana (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) complex and development of non-sequenced based identification tools to aid field studies. Pest Management Science, 73(11), 2334–2344. doi:10.1002/ps.4620