Population genetic structure of Hishimonus phycitis (Hem.: Cicadellidae), vector of lime witches' broom phytoplasma

عنوان دوره: دومین کنگره بین المللی حشره شناسی ایران

Witches' broom disease of lime (WBDL) caused by 'Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia' is considered as one of the most destructive disease of Mexican lime in southern Iran, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The causative phytoplasma is vectored by a leafhopper, Hishimonus phycitis. A sustainable pest management program for WBDL in Iran can rely on accurate information achieved from its vector, H. phycitis populations. Determining genetic structure of H. phycitis populations in various climate zones is a fundamental piece of information to establish a vector base management strategy for WBDL. To do this, Insects were collected from Hormozgan (Rudan, Minab, Hashtbandi, Qale'e Qazi, Sirmand, Tashkouyeh), Kerman (Ali Abad, Karim Abad, Eslam Abad, Jahad Abad and Kahnuj), Sistan Baluchestan (Nikshahr) and Fars (Forg) provinces by D-Vac aspirator during March to May 2016 and stored at -20ºC till DNA extraction. Insects were sexed and total DNA was extracted by Reineke et al. (1988) method with some modifications. Six ISSR markers and mitochondorial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene were used to unveil genetic variation of the leafhopper populations from the thirteen different regions of Iran. Analysis of ISSR markers revealed that Forg (Fars) and Qale'e Qazi (Hormozgan) populations significantly diverged from the other populations. However, The COI sequences were highly conserved among all populations and the derived phylogenetic tree resided all the populations in a single clade. Mantel test exhibited no correlation between genetic and geographical distances. Our results demonstrated genetic differentiations among the H. phycitis populations which might have been induced by ecological or geographical isolation and may affect the vectoring capability of this insect.

Genetic structure؛ ISSR markers؛ COI؛ WBDL؛ Management