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Go west: Population genomics reveals unexpected population fluctuations and little gene flow in Western hemisphere populations of the predatory lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens .

Authors :
Sethuraman A
Nunziata SO
Jones A
Obrycki J
Weisrock DW
Source :
Evolutionary applications [Evol Appl] 2023 Dec 29; Vol. 17 (1), pp. e13631. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Dec 29 (Print Publication: 2024).
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Hippodamia convergens -the convergent lady beetle, has been used extensively in augmentative biological control of aphids, thrips, and whiteflies across its native range in North America, and was introduced into South America in the 1950s. Overwintering H .  convergens populations from its native western range in the United States are commercially collected and released across its current range in the eastern USA, with little knowledge of the effectiveness of its augmentative biological control. Here we use a novel ddRADseq-based SNP/haplotype discovery approach to estimate its range-wide population diversity, differentiation, and recent evolutionary history. Our results indicate (1) significant population differentiation among eastern USA, western USA, and South American populations of H .  convergens , with (2) little to no detectable recent admixture between them, despite repeated population augmentation, and (3) continued recent population size expansion across its range. These results contradict previous findings using microsatellite markers. In light of these new findings, the implications for the effectiveness of augmentative biological control using H .  convergens are discussed. Additionally, because quantifying the non-target effects of augmentative biological control is a difficult problem in migratory beetles, our results could serve as a cornerstone in improving and predicting the efficacy of future releases of H .  convergens across its range.<br />Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.<br /> (© 2023 The Authors. Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1752-4571
Volume :
17
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Evolutionary applications
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38283604
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13631