6533b858fe1ef96bd12b6391

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Molecular characterization of cyclic and obligate parthenogens in the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.)

subject

description

Holocyclic clones of the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) reproduce by cyclic parthenogenesis, whereas anholocyclic individuals are obligate parthenogens. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and random amplified polymorphic DNA markers in R . padi as well as plasmid DNA markers of its bacterial endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola , were examined to determine the extent of genetic divergence between clones with these differing breeding systems. These analyses revealed that cyclically parthenogenetic lineages possessed differing mtDNA and plasmid haplotypes than most obligately asexual clones. The extent of sequence divergence between these maternally inherited molecules suggests a relatively ancient origin of asexuality. Our work also identified a random amplified polymorphic DNA marker linked to the life-cycle variation in R . padi . This marker not only permits the rapid diagnosis of breeding system but sets the stage for studies to identify the gene(s) controlling this variation in mode of reproduction.