Genetic variation studies in Oryctes rhinoceros (L.) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) using single locus DNA microsatellite markers

Abstract

Oryctes rhinoceros, a serious pest in young oil palm replanting areas, often causes reduced plant productivity and plant death. Common control measures are species specific pheromone traps; however discrepancy in attraction toward the pheromone traps has raised doubts on the possibility of cryptic species complex in O. rhinoceros. To ascertain the possibilities of a cryptic species complex; species specific single locus DNA microsatellite markers were used to study the genetic variation within and between O. rhinoceros populations. Using 30 species specific single locus DNA microsatellite markers, O. rhinoceros beetles from six populations originating from Malaysia and Indonesia revealed no isolated gene pool. Pairwise population differentiation and gene flow values further revealed low to moderate differentiation and a high gene flow between populations. Beetles of different population interactedrnfreely, permitting gene flow between closely and distantly located populations; thus ruling out the possibility for cryptic species complex in O. rhinoceros.