Effects of Wolbachia on mitochondrial DNA variation in populations of Athetis lepigone (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in China

Abstract

Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria that infect arthropods and incompatibility among strains can affect gene flow within host insect populations that can significantly result in host mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) variation within or among populations. The effects of Wolbachia infection on Athetis lepigone MtDNA variation were studied across 12 geographical populations sampled from North China. Mitochondrial COI gene and Wolbachia wsp gene were both obtained from 423 individuals, including 46 Wolbachia infected and 377 uninfected individuals. Average A. lepigone infection rate was 11% (range: 0 to 26%), and wsp sequence variation defined three distinct Wolbachia strains; wLep1, wLep2, and wLep3, respectively. A haplotype network showed no relationship between A. lepigone MtDNA haplotype and Wolbachia infection. Furthermore, haplotype variation mainly exists within populations, although the proportion of variation is higher within uninfected compared to infected individuals. The lack of correlation between A. lepigone haplotype and Wolbachia strain, suggests symbiont infection may not affect mating compatibility or gene flow within host populations in China.

Keywords:

• Athetis lepigone
• geographic populations
• MtDNA variation
• Wolbachia

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. B. Zhang, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, for comments and suggestions on this manuscript. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Iowa State University for its use. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Funding information

This work was funded by Specific Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest (201303026) and China Agriculture Research System (CARS-02).