Recent contributions of molecular population genetic and phylogenetic studies to classical biological control of weeds

Authors: GASKIN, JOHN - Retired ARS Employee

Submitted to: BioControl
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/5/2023
Publication Date: 12/1/2023
Citation: Gaskin, J.F. 2023. Recent contributions of molecular population genetic and phylogenetic studies to classical biological control of weeds. BioControl. 69:353-360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-023-10230-5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-023-10230-5

Interpretive Summary: The use of molecular techniques in biological studies has rapidly grown and the tools have become more powerful, widely available, as well as cheaper and easier to implement. For classical biological control, molecular analyses can uncover information about target weeds that was recently unknowable but can be critical to improving control success.This review provides recent examples of uses of molecular population genetics and phylogenetics that have improved the biological control process, hoping to inspire and guide researchers as they begin planning a classical biological control of weeds program.

Technical Abstract: The use of molecular techniques in biological studies has rapidly grown and the tools have become more powerful, widely available, as well as cheaper and easier to implement. For classical biological control, molecular analyses can uncover information about target weeds that was recently unknowable but can be critical to improving control success, including clarifying taxonomy, hybridization and cryptic species, host plant evolutionary relationships with other plant species, and population structure and origin of invasions. This review provides recent examples of uses of molecular population genetics and phylogenetics that have improved the biological control process, hoping to inspire and guide researchers as they begin planning a classical biological control of weeds program.