Weak Spatial and Temporal Population Genetic Structure in the Rosy Apple Aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea, in French Apple Orchards
2011

Genetic Structure of the Rosy Apple Aphid in French Orchards

Sample size: 532 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Guillemaud Thomas, Blin Aurélie, Simon Sylvaine, Morel Karine, Franck Pierre

Primary Institution: INRA

Hypothesis

Does the complex mode of reproduction and host shift-related migration events affect genetic variation in the rosy apple aphid?

Conclusion

The rosy apple aphid populations in France display extensive genetic variation with no significant differentiation between orchards or sampling periods.

Supporting Evidence

  • Genetic variability was similar between orchard populations and between winged populations collected in different seasons.
  • Only a small proportion of individuals had identical multilocus genotypes, indicating high genetic mixing.
  • Genetic differentiation was low, with significant differences only between orchards from different regions.

Takeaway

Scientists studied the rosy apple aphid to see how it changes genetically over time and space, and found that it mixes a lot and doesn't change much between seasons.

Methodology

The study used eight microsatellite loci and 20 aphid samples from 13 apple orchards across four regions in France to analyze genetic structure.

Potential Biases

Potential biases due to the limited sampling of secondary hosts and the effects of pesticide treatments were not fully explored.

Limitations

The study did not account for potential environmental selection on secondary host plants.

Participant Demographics

Samples were collected from various apple orchards in four regions of France.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021263

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication