Population genetics and diversity structure of an invasive earthworm in tropical and temperate pastures from Veracruz, Mexico

By

Ortiz-Gamino, Diana
Gregorio, Josefat Gregorio
Cunha, Luis
Martínez-Romero, Esperanza
Fragoso González, Carlos
Ortiz-Ceballos, Ángel I.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2020

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

941

Pages

49--69

Subjects

agroecosystems , asexual reproduction , exotic earthworm , peregrine species , Rhinodrilidae

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.941.49319

 

Abstract

Pontoscolex corethrurus(Müller, 1857) is an invasive tropical earthworm, globally distributed. It reproduces through parthenogenesis, which theoretically results in low genetic diversity. The analysis of the population structure ofP. corethrurususing molecular markers may significantly contribute to understanding the ecology and reproductive system of this earthworm species. This work assessed the genetic diversity and population structure ofP. corethruruswith 34 polymorphic inter simple sequence repeat markers, covering four populations in tropical and temperate pastures from Veracruz State. Nuclear markers distinguished two genetic clusters, probably corresponding to two distinct genetic lineages. The number of clones detected in the AC population was lower than expected for a parthenogenetic species. Also, the apparent lack of differences in population structures related to the geographic region among the populations studied may indicate that human-mediated transference is prevalent in these areas. Still, most individuals apparently belong to lineage A, and only a few individuals seem to belong to the lineage B. Thus, the admixture signatures found among the four populations ofP. corethrurusmay have facilitated a successful invasion by directly increasing fitness. In summary, addressing the genetic variation ofP. corethruruswith ISSR markers was a suitable approach, as it evidenced the genetic diversity and relationships in the populations evaluated.