Development of microsatellite markers for the predatory mite Phytoseiulus macropilis and cross-amplification in three other species of phytoseiid mites

Phytoseiid mites are efficient predators of mites and small pest insects. Understanding the dispersion and distribution pattern of phytoseiid mites is essential to promote the conservation of these natural enemies and support their use in biological control. Population genetic studies using molecular markers such as microsatellites have proved to be extremely informative to address questions about population structure and dispersion patterns of predatory mites. The objective of this work was to develop specific microsatellite markers for the predatory mite Phytoseiulus macropilis, aiming at improving field dispersion studies. For this purpose, the genomic DNA was extracted from the whole body of a pool of 260 adult females and used to build the genomic microsatellites-enriched library, using biotinylated probes (CT)(8) and (GT)(8). In total 26 pairs of primers were synthesized and screened across 30 adult females of P. macropilis for characterization. Seven loci were polymorphic, revealing from two to six alleles per locus. Cross amplifications were successfully obtained in the species Phytoseiulus persimilis, Amblyseius swirskii and Proprioseiopsis sp. The molecular markers obtained are the first developed for P. macropilis-they are effective for the detection and quantification of genetic variation, and show high transferability, thus can be used in genetic and molecular studies of this and other species of the same genus and also of close genera.

Automated summary

This study aimed to develop specific microsatellite markers for the predatory mite Phytoseiulus macropilis, resulting in the discovery of seven polymorphic loci that can be used for genetic and molecular studies. These markers are the first developed for P. macropilis and show high transferability to closely related species, facilitating further research in population genetics and molecular biology.