Genetic structure of spotted alfalfa aphid Therioaphis trifolii
(Hemiptera: Aphididae) populations in China inferred from complete
mitochondrial genomes
Abstract
Biological invasions represent a natural rapid evolutionary process in
contemporary time scale, and the invasive species may present a major
threat to biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. Analyzing the genetic
structure and demographic history of invasive populations is critical
for the effective management of invasive species. The spotted alfalfa
aphid (SAA) Therioaphis trifolii is indigenous in the Mediterranean
region of Europe and Africa and has invaded other continents, causing
severe damages to the alfalfa industry; however, little is known about
its genetic structure and invasion history. In this study, we obtained
167 complete mitochondrial genome sequences from 23 SAA populations
across China based on high-throughput sequencing and performed
population genetic and phylogenomic analyses. High haplotype diversity
and low nucleotide diversity were found in SAA populations in China with
distinct genetic structures, i.e., all population samples diverged into
three phylogenetic lineages with possible different invasion sources.
Demographic history analyses showed a recent expansion of the SAA
population, consistent with the rapid invasion history. Our study
supported that SAA populations in China were possibly derived from
multiple introduction events through commercial trades of alfalfa.