Microsatellite population genetics of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire): comparisons between Asian and North American populations

• Published in: Biological invasions 2013-07, Vol.15 (7), p.1537-1559
• Main Authors: Keever, Carson C., Nieman, Christal, Ramsay, Larissa, Ritland, Carol E., Bauer, Leah S., Lyons, D. Barry, Cory, Jenny S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agrilus; Animal populations; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Bayesian analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Developmental Biology; Ecology; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Genetic diversity; Genetic structure; Genetics; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Genotypes; Invasive insects; Life Sciences; Original Paper; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; Plant populations; Plant Sciences; Plant species; Population genetics; Population genetics, reproduction patterns; Population structure
• ISSN: 1387-3547; 1573-1464
• DOI: 10.1007/s10530-012-0389-4

The emerald ash borer (EAB) ( Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Coleoptera; Buprestidae), is an invasive wood-boring beetle native to northeast Asia. This species was first detected in Michigan USA in 2002, and is a significant threat to native and ornamental ash tree species ( Fraxinus spp.) throughout North America. We characterized seven polymorphic microsatellite markers for EAB and used these to investigate EAB population structure in the early invasive populations within North America and in comparison with Asia. We found 2–9 alleles per microsatellite locus, no evidence of linkage disequilibrium, and no association with known coding sequences, suggesting that these markers are suitable for population genetic analysis. Microsatellite population genetic structure was examined in 48 EAB populations sampled between 2003 and 2008 from five regions, three in the introduced range, Michigan (US) and Ontario and Quebec (Canada) and two Asian regions, China and South Korea, where EAB is native. We found significant genetic variation geographically but not temporally in EAB populations. Bayesian clustering analyses of individual microsatellite genotypes showed strong clustering among multiple North American populations and populations in both China and South Korea. Finally, allelic richness and expected heterozygosity were higher in the native range of EAB, but there was no difference in observed heterozygosity, suggesting a significant loss of alleles upon introduction but no significant change in the distribution of alleles within and among individuals.