Journal Article

Mitochondrial genome provides species-specific targets for the rapid detection of early invasive populations of Hylurgus ligniperda in China

Wang, Buxin, Zhao, Wenxia, Li, Chengjin, Wang, Hongyi, Yao, Yanxia, Huang, Lan, Ji, Yingchao, Wang, Xiaoyi, Wang, Yanhong

2024

Overview

Background Hylurgus ligniperda , a major international forestry quarantine pest, was recently found to have invaded and posed a serious threat to the Pinus forests of the Jiaodong Peninsula in China. Continuous monitoring and vigilance of the early population is imperative, and rapid molecular detection technology is urgently needed. We focused on developing a single-gene-based species-specific PCR (SS-PCR) method. Results We sequenced and assembled the mitochondrial genome of H. ligniperda to identify suitable target genes. We identified three closely related species for detecting the specificity of SS-PCR through phylogenetic analysis based on 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs). Subsequently, we analyzed the evolution of 13 PCGs and selected four mitochondrial genes to represent slow-evolving gene ( COI ) and faster-evolving genes (e.g. ND2 , ND4 , and ND5 ), respectively. We developed four species-specific primers targeting COI , ND2 , ND4 , and ND5 to rapidly identify H. ligniperd a. The results showed that the four species-specific primers exhibited excellent specificity and sensitivity in the PCR assays, with consistent performance across a broader range of species. This method demonstrates the ability to identify beetles promptly, even during their larval stage. The entire detection process can be completed within 2–3 h. Conclusions This method is suitable for large-scale species detection in laboratory settings. Moreover, the selection of target genes in the SS-PCR method is not affected by the evolutionary rate. SS-PCR can be widely implemented at port and forestry workstations, significantly enhancing early management strategies and quarantine measures against H. ligniperda . This approach will help prevent the spread of the pest and effectively preserve the resources of Chinese pine forests.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Animal Genetics and Genomics / Animals / Bats / Beetles / Biomedical and Life Sciences / China / Coleoptera / Coniferous forests / Control / DNA Primers / Evolution / Evolutionary genetics / Evolutionary rate / Forest management / Forestry / Forestry research / Genes / Genetic aspects / Genome, Mitochondrial / Genomes / Hylurgus ligniperda / Identification / Identification and classification / Insect pests / Invasive species / Life Sciences / Methods / Microarrays / Microbial Genetics and Genomics / Mitochondria / Mitochondrial DNA / Mitochondrial genome / Molecular identification / Morphology / Nonnative species / Pests / Phylogenetics / Phylogeny / Pinus / Pinus - genetics / Plant Genetics and Genomics / Polymerase chain reaction / Proteomics / Quarantine / Species-specific PCR / Target detection / Target recognition / Taxonomy / Transfer RNA / Vigilance / Weevils / Workstations