H.H.G. Al-Challabi1*, A.A.H. Karim2 and A.A. Mohammed1
(1) Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kufa, Iraq; (2) Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Karbala, Iraq.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
The goal of this study was to investigate the genetic variations of the aphid Myzus persicae in different regions and crops of Iraqi provinces by assessing genetic diversity utilizing mtDNA techniques, specifically the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and cyclooxygenase (COX) genes. The study also included the molecular diagnosis of endosymbiotic bacteria utilizing the 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene. The results obtained indicated that genetic variation in the M. persicae insect populations obtained from several provinces in Iraq, as revealed by the genetic tree analysis and sequence homology. The genetic tree analysis highlighted a strong genetic similarity among insects from the northern provinces, specifically Dohuk and Erbil. In contrast, distinct genetic differences were observed in the samples collected from Babil, Najaf, and Basra. The samples from Baghdad and Kirkuk showed the least genetic variation. In terms of the symbiotic bacteria associated with these insects, the molecular results confirmed the presence of Buchnera aphidicola bacteria in the green peach aphid, M. persicae. This confirmation was established through a comparison of the sequences with GenBank data, demonstrating that there were no genetic differences or deviations among the insect samples isolated from the Iraqi environment. The genetic sequences of the insect (OQ975997) and the associated bacteria (OQ975440, OQ953983, and OQ946990) were deposited in the GenBank.
Green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, Buchnera aphidicola.
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001448