Unexpected genetic variability in the parthenogenetic bag worm moth Dahlica fennicella (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) revealed by novel microsatellite markers

摘要

Parthenogenetic lineages are predicted to be initially successful, but predisposed to deteriorate due to insufficient genetic diversity. Unexpectedly, parthenogenetic moths do not show any signs of deterioration. We hypothesize that these moths may exhibit levels of genetic diversity which allow them to successfully persist. To test our hypothesis, we assess polymorphism in 11 new isolated microsatellite loci from the parthenogenetic Dahlica fennicella. We also report their variability in another parthenogenetic species D. triquetrella and five sexual related species (Dahlica and Siederia spp). Nine loci in D. fennicella and one in D.triquetrella were found to be polymorphic, whereas five loci showed polymorphism among sexual species. Our results are incongruent with previous cytological observations, which indicate that parthenogenetic reproduction in Lepidoptera has no crossing over. Some plausible explanations for the observed polymorphism include recombination, high mutation rate, and multiple clonal origins.