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Genetic variation among Helicoverpa armigera populations as assessed by microsatellites: a cautionary tale about accurate allele scoring

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2009

A.R. Weeks ,
N.M. Endersby ,
C.L. Lange ,
A. Lowe ,
M.P. Zalucki  and
A.A. Hoffmann
A.R. Weeks*
Affiliation:
Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research (CESAR), Department of Genetics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia3010
N.M. Endersby
Affiliation:
Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research (CESAR), Department of Genetics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia3010
C.L. Lange
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Integrative Biology, Queensland4072, Australia
A. Lowe
Affiliation:
The School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, SA5000, Australia State Herbarium, Hackney Road, Adelaide, SA5005, Australia
M.P. Zalucki
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Integrative Biology, Queensland4072, Australia
A.A. Hoffmann
Affiliation:
Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research (CESAR), Department of Genetics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia3010 CESAR, Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia3010
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: 613 83442279 E-mail: aweeks@unimelb.edu.au
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Abstract

The existence of genetic differences among Australian populations of the pest moth Helicoverpa armigera based on microsatellite markers is contentious. To resolve this issue, we analyzed microsatellite variation in moth samples from multiple locations simultaneously in two laboratories that have previously reported contrasting patterns. Alleles and allele numbers detected in the laboratories differed, as did the genetic differences found between the samples. The automated scoring system used in one of the laboratories combined with non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels led to inaccurate identification of alleles and high FST values between the populations. However, H. armigera in Australia is probably not structured geographically, with high gene flow between populations. This influences management of H. armigera and the development of area-wide control options, as populations need to be considered as one panmictic unit. The results also highlight potential problems of automated scoring systems when these are not checked carefully.

Keywords

Helicoverpa armigeramicrosatellitegenetic variationgene flow
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 100 , Issue 4 , August 2010 , pp. 445 - 450
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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