Using DNA barcodes to confirm the presence of a new invasive cockroach pest in New York City.
Recently, specimens of a Periplaneta sp. were discovered in New York, NY, that did not match the typical morphology of Periplaneta americana L., the ubiquitous American cockroach. Here, we used DNA barcoding and morphological identification to confirm that this newly invasive pest species was indeed Periplaneta japonica Karny, 1908. We discuss this recent invasion in light of known life history traits of this species, with specific predictions for its impact in the urban northeastern United States.
Department of Biology, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Boyden Hall, Rm. 406, 195 University Ave., Newark, NJ 07102, USA. dominicEv@gmail.com
Dominic
D
Evangelista
Entomology & Nematology Department, Insect Identification Laboratory, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611-0620, USA.
Lyle
L
Buss
Department of Biology, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Boyden Hall, Rm. 406, 195 University Ave., Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
Jessica L
JL
Ware
D000818:Animals; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic / Q000379:methods*; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D058865:Introduced Species; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D010526:Periplaneta / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV