Phylogeographic support for horizontal gene transfer involving sympatric bruchid species.

• publication
• 29-07-2006

Alvarez N, Benrey B, Hossaert-McKey M, Grill A, McKey D, Galtier N. Biol. Direct 2006 Jul;1():21. 1745-6150-1-21. 10.1186/1745-6150-1-21. PMC1562361.

We report on the probable horizontal transfer of a mitochondrial gene, cytb, between species of Neotropical bruchid beetles, in a zone where these species are sympatric. The bruchid beetles Acanthoscelides obtectus, A. obvelatus, A. argillaceus and Zabrotes subfasciatus develop on various bean species in Mexico. Whereas A. obtectus and A. obvelatus develop on Phaseolus vulgaris in the Mexican Altiplano, A. argillaceus feeds on P. lunatus in the Pacific coast. The generalist Z. subfasciatus feeds on both bean species, and is sympatric with A. obtectus and A. obvelatus in the Mexican Altiplano, and with A. argillaceus in the Pacific coast. In order to assess the phylogenetic position of these four species, we amplified and sequenced one nuclear (28S rRNA) and two mitochondrial (cytb, COI) genes.

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