Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Variation of the Mason Bee, Osmia cornifrons (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

• Published in: International Journal of Industrial Entomology 2008, Vol.16 (2), p.75-86
• Main Authors: Kim, Hwa-Young, Lee, Kyeong-Yong, Lee, Sang-Beom, Kim, Se-Ryeon, Hong, Mee-Yeon, Kim, Dong-Young, Kim, Ik-Soo
• Format: Article
• Language: Korean
• ISSN: 1598-3579

In order to understand geographic genetic variation and relationship among populations of the mason bee (Osmia cornifrons Radoszkowsky), which is used as pollinator for apple tree, we sequenced a portion of mitochondrial (mt) COI gene, which corresponds to "DNA Barcode" region (658 bp) from 81 O. cornifrons individuals collected over eight localities in Korea. The sequence data revealed overall moderate to low genetic diversity within species, with a maximum sequence divergence of 0.76%. Geographically, two haplotypes (BAROC01 and BAROC02) were widespread with a frequency of 82.7%, whereas several haplotypes were found in a locality as a single individual, suggesting that haplotype distribution can be summarized as coexistence of a few widespread haplotypes and several regionally restricted haplotypes. Overall, high rate of per generation female migration (Nm=$1.1{\sim}$infinite) and low level of geographic subdivision ($F_{ST}=0{\sim}0.315$) among localities were characteristic. Although two populations (p < 0.026) were genetically subdivided from the remaining localities, no clear polarity was observed. Taken together, the nature of genetic divergence of the mason bee populations is characterized as one that possessing moderate to low genetic diversity, high gene flow, and wide spread haplotypes with ahigh frequency, concordant with the capability of dispersal in connection with the lack of historical biogeographic barriers.