ARS | Publication request: Molecular analysis of ribosomal RNA spacer regions in geographically separated populations of the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis)

Submitted to: Genbank
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: January 10, 2007
Publication Date: February 18, 2007
Citation: Roehrdanz, R.L., Patti, S. 2007. Molecular analysis of ribosomal RNA spacer regions in geographically separated populations of the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis). Genbank. Accession numbers: EF194205-EF194224.

Technical Abstract: The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis, is a serious pest of cultivated cotton in the Western Hemisphere. It is suggested that three forms of A. grandis exist based on geographical and behavioral characteristics. All three forms are morphologically similar making identification difficult. While most areas of the US have contained or eliminated the weevil, population dispersal from areas where weevils are still found poses a threat of reinfestation. We studied three Texas populations of Southeastern boll weevil, four populations of boll weevils from Mexico (all of which are found on cultivated cotton), and three populations of boll weevil from the wild cotton regions of southern Arizona. The focus of the research was on the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and the intergenic spacer of the nuclear ribosomal DNA region. Molecular analysis of ITS2 and IGS using PCR, restriction fragment length polymorphisms, and sequence analysis revealed genetic differences among the three variants of A. grandis that could potentially identify distinct weevil populations. We found restriction pattern differences in the IGS that differentiated between the populations of Thurberia weevil and A. grandis populations in Texas and Mexico. Sequence variations in the ITS2 revealed several substitutions that appear to isolate the Thurberia weevil populations. Weevils from north central Mexico are most similar to those from Texas but exhibit slightly more diversity. EF194205 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- 3450KPit2 EF194206 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- 3451KPit2 EF194207 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- 3454LUit2 EF194208 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- 3455LUit2 EF194209 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- 3458KPit2 EF194210 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- 3459KPit2 EF194211 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- 3462\LUit2 EF194212 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- 3463LUit2 EF194213 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWOJ21 EF194214 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWOJ22 EF194215 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWOJ23 EF194216 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWOJ24 EF194217 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWOJ25 EF194218 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWRO3797 EF194219 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWRO3798 EF194220 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWRO3799 EF194221 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWRO3800 EF194222 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWRO3801 EF194223 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWTL21 EF194224 Anthonomus grandis internal transcribed spacer 2- BWTL22