Isolation of 12 polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite markers of the leaf beetle Ophraella communa, a promising Ambrosia biocontrol agent also in Europe

ABSTRACT

Following its first record in Europe in 2013, the North American ragweed leaf beetle Ophraella communa, used already as a most successful biocontrol agent against common ragweed in China, is spreading rapidly, asking for a detailed analysis of the potential benefit and risk of this introduction for Europe. Here, we report twelve specific and polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite markers, which can be used for redrawing its global invasion history and spread across native and introduced ranges. The high level of polymorphism (i.e. from 4 to 18 alleles per locus) and the genetic variation detected within and between one native and two introduced populations provide adequate statistical power for elucidating the beetle’s invasion process.

KEYWORDS:

• Biological control agent
• Chrysomelidae
• Ophraella communa
• microsatellites
• multiplex PCRs
• population genetics

Acknowledgements

We thank B. Augustinus, Z. Jialiang, Y. Sun and P. Toth for sample collections. We are also grateful to Ecogenics for the sequencing and primer design and to G. Jacob for constructive discussions on microsatellite choice and the development of multiplex PCRs.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation to HMS [number: 31003A_166448].