Observations on iNaturalist reveal the establishment of non-native Eucalyptus weevil Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Tamil Nadu, India.
Yeshwanth H M, Ashwin Viswanathan, Sankararaman Hariharakrishnan, Samuel D J Brown, Ashok Karuppannasamy, Sangamesh R Hiremath
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
We report the establishment of the invasive eucalyptus weevil Gonipterus platensis in the high elevation Nilgiri Plateau in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Its presence was first brought to light by observations uploaded on iNaturalist, a citizen science platform, from Eucalyptus globulus plantations. Specimens collected from the plantations were examined morphologically and dissected to reveal the diagnostic characters of G. platensis. DNA sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase gene (COI) amplified from Indian specimens were 0.3% different from G. platensis sequences from Tasmanian populations and over 4% different from any other Gonipterus species for which DNA data are available. Sequence data from 6 invasive populations of G. platensis indicates multiple, independent invasions from a Tasmanian source population to different parts of the world. The collection of specimens, including larvae, over multiple years indicates that the population in the Nilgiris is persistent, with the earliest evidence for its presence in the region being March 2019. We recommend further monitoring and assessment of population growth and spread of Gonipterus platensis to minimize the economic impact of this potentially important pest of Eucalyptus in India. Citizen science played a critical role in this discovery, and we recommend that subject experts engage with nature enthusiasts on platforms like iNaturalist so that the wide reach of public participation is harnessed to effectively monitor biodiversity.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Insect Science was founded with support from the University of Arizona library in 2001 by Dr. Henry Hagedorn, who served as editor-in-chief until his death in January 2014. The Entomological Society of America was very pleased to add the Journal of Insect Science to its publishing portfolio in 2014. The fully open access journal publishes papers in all aspects of the biology of insects and other arthropods from the molecular to the ecological, and their agricultural and medical impact.