Eur. J. Entomol. 91 (4): 375-383, 1994
Population genetic structure during aestivation in the sycamore aphid Drepanosiphum platanoidis (Hemiptera: Drepanosiphidae)
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Cellulose acetate electrophoresis was used to investigate genetic variation at 15 enzyme loci in aestivating populations of the sycamore aphid, Drepanosiphum platanoidis (Schrank) (Hemiptera: Drepanosiphidae). The level of polymorphism P (over all loci) was 20%. Of the polymorphic loci, only phosphoglucomutase (PGM), with four alleles, provided consistent, interpretable banding patterns and was subsequently used to investigate population structure and gene flow at various spatial levels in southern Britain. Of 13 aphid aggregations (from single leaves) collected from the lower canopy of a selected tree, only one deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Genotypic diversity for the PGM locus was generally high and genetic identity measures showed homogeneity between leaf aggregations. Aphid samples collected from eight trees in close proximity, five sites in Hertfordshire and four other sites in southern Britain, also showed homogeneity for alele and genotype frequencies and, in almost all cases, conformed to Hardy-Weinberg expectations. It was concluded that gene flow, facilitated by trivial and migratory flight, was responsible for the genetic homogeneity observed, both within and between host trees.
Keywords: Drepanosiphum platanoidis, sycamore aphid, allozyme variation, gene flow, population biology
Accepted: June 21, 1994; Published: December 20, 1994 Show citation
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