title: The predatory mite Neoseiulus paspalivorus (Phytoseiidae) in Brazil: taxonomic status, reproductive compatibility and morphological and molecular variability.
abstract: The predatory mite Neoseiulus paspalivorus (De Leon) is often found in association with the coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer. The identification of natural enemies is essential for the definition of biological control strategies. Therefore, the present study aimed to confirm whether the mite populations from different Northeastern Brazilian states identified as N. paspalivorus belong to the same species. This determination was accomplished through the study of morphometric variability in 33 anatomical characters and of molecular variability in two DNA fragments: Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA. This study also determined whether there is reproductive isolation between the two most morphologically distinct populations (Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba). Intraspecific morphometric variability was observed among the five populations of N. paspalivorus. Despite this variability, the crosses and backcrosses of the most morphologically distinct populations did not show reproductive incompatibility. The molecular analysis indicated the absence of genetic differences among the N. paspalivorus populations for the ITS fragment. Three haplotypes were identified for the COI fragment, and the genetic distance ranged from 0 to 0.2 %. Despite the morphometric differences, the results of the molecular and biological analysis corroborate the previous identification of N. paspalivorus for all of the studied populations. The present study contributes to the systematics of Phytoseiidae predatory mites and to the biological control of A. guerreronis by the accurate identification and characterization of one of its main natural enemies along extensive areas in Brazil.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia Agrícola, Departamento de Agronomia/Entomologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE, 52171-900, Brazil. daniagroufv@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rezende
authors.affiliation: Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, final Av. W5 Norte, s/No., Asa Norte, Caixa Postal 02372, Brasília, DF, 70770-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Navia
authors.affiliation: Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, final Av. W5 Norte, s/No., Asa Norte, Caixa Postal 02372, Brasília, DF, 70770-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fitotecnia - Entomologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Avenida Mister Hull, n 2977, Bloco 805, Campus do Pici, Fortaleza, CE, 60356-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: José W S
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia Agrícola, Departamento de Agronomia/Entomologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE, 52171-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Manoel G C
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Gondim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D060829:Arthropod Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001938:Brazil; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008925:Mites / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D012098:Reproduction
chemical_list: D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV
keywords: Aceria guerreronis; Biological control; Cocos nucifera; Genetic variability; Integrative taxonomy; Morphometry