Determining Cryptic Species Diversity in Feather-Footed Flies (Trichopoda spp.)
Caid KJ and Blaschke JD. 2017. Determining Cryptic Species Diversity in Feather-Footed Flies (Trichopoda spp.). Union University
ABSTRACT: Trichopoda pennipes are parasitoid flies that attack stink bugs of economic importance. Inconsistent results in the use of T. pennipes as a natural biological control agent may be due to the existence of host specific pheromone strains of T. pennipes. Within T. pennipes, 2 morphotypes are present, 1 with golden wings and 1 with black wings. To discern if consistent genetic differences exist between morphotypes, the MCS gene of 4 T. pennipes specimens (2 black and 2 gold) along with 1 Trichopoda lanipes were chosen for DNA sequencing. Sequences were combined with a larger data set of 23 Trichopoda sequences, and a phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using maximum likelihood. Gold and black morphotypes were not reconstructed as individual clades, thus indicating no consistent genetic differences between phenotypes. Additionally, the T. lanipes clade was nested within the larger clade of T. pennipes, implying considerable introgression between species.
- Type
- Poster
- Authors
- Caid, Katherine; Blaschke, Jeremy
- Date of Issue
- 2017
- Publisher
- Union University
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, biodiversity, Cades Cove, Diptera, feather-footed flies, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, malaise trap, SER, Southeast Region, Trichopoda