MITOCHONDRIAL 16S rDNA PROFILING AND PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS SUGGEST GENETIC DIVERSITY OF ASH WEEVIL (Stereonichus fraxini De Geer) IN SERBIA

This study contributes to knowledge of ash weevil (Stereonychus fraxini De Geer) molecular taxonomy, phylogeny and genetic diversity. Adult and larvae stages of insect were collected from several locations covering northern and central part of Serbia cojoined with homologous sequences with respect to their different geographic origin and hypothesis of their evolutionary relationships. Due to its slow rates of evolution the gene region that covers mitochondrial 16S rDNA, was choice for sequence profiling and phylogenetic reconstruction of ash weevil in correspondence with sequences of related tribes Cionini. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrating clear separation of the native weevil populations and the Cionini tribes. Even though bioinformatic tools confirm that all native specimens belong to species Stereonychus fraxini, different profile of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA in the Glade of Serbian specimens indicate intraspecific genomic rearrangement in one specimen detached it to northern geographic position. Those particular specimens invade also different Fraxinus species. Genetic distinctness of other imagos from this particular individual proved by indels and point mutations found in their sequences. By screening the mitochondrial 16S rDNA, molecular evidence suggests the existence of the specimen with rearranged genome that indicate genetic variability in native populations of ash weevil species.