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Title: Species diagnostic single-nucleotide polymorphism and sequence-tagged site markers for the parasitic WASP Genus Nasonia (Hymenoptera: Ptermalidae)

Author
item NIEHUIS, O - ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
item JUDSON, A - UNIV. OF ROCHESTER, NY
item WERREN, J - UNIV OF ROCHESTER, NY
item Hunter, Wayne
item Dang, Phat
item Dowd, Scot
item GRILLENBERGER, B - U OF GRONINGEN, NETHERLAN
item BEUKEBOOM, L - U OF GRONINGEN, NETHERLAN
item GADAU, J - ARIZONA STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2007
Publication Date: 8/1/2007
Citation: Niehuis, O., Judson, A., Werren, J., Hunter, W.B., Dang, P.M., Dowd, S.E., Grillenberger, B., Beukeboom, L., Gadau, J. 2007. Species diagnostic single-nucleotide polymorphism and sequence-tagged site markers for the parasitic WASP Genus Nasonia (Hymenoptera: Ptermalidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 100:1033-1036. 2007.

Interpretive Summary: Accurate identification of beneficial insects, such as wasps which lay their eggs in pest insects, is an important part of monitoring and evaluation projects. To provide a rapid and efficient means of identifying and taxonomically classifying beneficial insect members of wasps in the genus Nasonia, we developed and screened eight genetic markers linked to genetic differences found as single nucleotide changes within genes, and another three genetic markers which are sequence-tagged sites within some of the genes found within cell nuclei. The markers successfully distinguished out two closely related wasps within Nasonia: N. giraulti, and N. vitripennis. The markers are ideal for rapid species identification and will be used to assess the frequency of naturally occurring hybrids in populations of these wasps. These markers will also be useful in the further taxonomic classification of members of the Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants).

Technical Abstract: We developed, identified and evaluated eight single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and three sequence-tagged site (STS) markers in nuclear gene sequences of the wasp genus Nasonia (Hymenoptera). We studied variation of these markers in natural populations of the closely related and regionally sympatric species N. giraulti and N. vitripennis and mapped them in the Nasonia genome. The markers are species diagnostic and evenly spread over the entire nuclear genome. They are ideal for rapid species identification and hybrid recognition and will be used to assess the frequency of naturally occurring Nasonia hybrids. These markers will also be useful in further taxonomic classification of other members within the Hymenoptera.