Analysis of genetic diversity among different geographic populations of Athetis lepigone using ISSR molecular markers

•We analyse the genetic diversity of Athetis lepigone by ISSR markers.•A majority of genetic differentiation is existed in individuals.•The result suggests a high degree of population homogeneity.•Gene flow may be high among the 15 A. lepigone populations.

Athetis lepigone (Möschler) is an invasive insect pest that feeds on corn seedlings in the summer corn region of China. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to determine genotype of A. lepigone collected from 15 geographic locations in North China. Data from seven primers resulted in a total of 183 bands that were scored, 174 (95.08%) of which were polymorphic. Genetic distance estimates among the 15 populations of A. lepigone ranged from 0.0133 to 0.0595. At species level, Nei's genetic diversity index was 0.3537 and Shannon information index was 0.5288. Genetic differentiation among the 15 populations was estimated at 0.0747 and historical mean number of migrants (Nm) was 6.19. Clustering analysis revealed no correlation between genetic diversity and geographic proximity among the A. lepigone populations. This lack of significant genetic diversity or correlation with geographic location suggests that gene flow may be high among the 15 A. lepigone populations or homogenization may be a result of recent range expansion. These data provide important preliminary estimates of A. lepigone population dynamics which may help in evaluating local scales required for control of this insect.

Graphical abstractFig. 1. A distribution map showing these 15 Athetis lepigone populations collected from North China in the present study.Fig. 2. The NJ tree of the 15 Athetis lepigone populations based on D (Nei's genetic distance). Clustering groups (I, II) are indicated. Population abbreviations are given in Table 1.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide