Potential gene flow in Eurasian Acanthocinus griseus (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae): A preliminary mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase-I-based analysis

Abstract

Acanthocinus griseus (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Acanthocinini) has long been known for its role in the decay process of the wood in the forest ecosystem, and two critical features of the species, inhabiting standing trees and being a vector of pine wood nematodes Bursaphelenchus spp., have been noted recently. Therefore, understanding the current relationships and possible migration scenarios has been further required to assess invasion risks. The present work provided a preliminary comprehension of the phylogenetic relationships of A. griseus based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase-I (COI) gene region (658 bp), with sequences produced in the present study, from the specimens collected from timberyards, ports and forests of Kocaeli Province, Turkey, and with available sequences in GenBank of inhabitants of Eurasia, and of intercepted specimens in ports. The intraspecific genetic distance of A. griseus was 1.37-0,3%, while the interspecific distance was 10,79-13,37%, except the closeness of an A. griseus haplotype (AGR1) to A. sachalinensis (0,3%) more than its conspecifics (4,71-5,47%). The ML and BI analyses suggested identical topologies. The statistical parsimony network drew a reticular branching diagram without grouping across countries or geographic regions, which addresses ongoing gene flow. Most haplotypes from Turkey were clustered around a central haplotype (AGR11), which may point to a bottleneck effect. A haplotype previously intercepted in USA ports was identical to a haplotype sampled in Kocaeli. The present study suggests that the relationship between A. griseus and A. sachalinensis should be reconsidered from both morphological and molecular points of view. In addition, the possible ongoing intraspecific gene flow within A. griseus might be due to facilitated migration by the international wood trade.