Allozyme analysis of host selection by bark beetles in central Mexico

Carlos F. Vargas, Alejandro López, Hermilo Sánchez, Blanca Rodríguez

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5 Scopus citations

Abstract

A study was done to determine if the bark beetles Dendroctonus adjunctus Blandford and Dendroctonus valens LeConte exhibit a nonrandom selection pattern of susceptible Pinus lawsonii Rozel and Pinus montezumae Lamb. trees that can be related to genetic differences in the tree species. The study was done in an unmanaged, mature forest in which bark beetle infestations have been reported for 15 years. Samples from attacked and nonattacked trees of both pines species were characterized using allozymes. Collected leaf material was run in starch gels with a lithium hydroxide buffer and 15 markers. Attacked trees were more heterozygous, with the allele frequencies for the enzymes aspartate transaminase-1, carboxylesterase-3, L-leucine aminopeptidase-1, lactate dehydrogenase-2, and peroxidase-2 being significantly higher. Both a hierarchical analysis of genetic variability and measurement of genetic distance found differences between attacked and nonattacked trees in both species. It is suggested that the susceptibility of the trees chosen for infestation by the bark beetles is related to the genetic composition of the trees.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)24-30
Number of pages7
JournalCanadian Journal of Forest Research
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

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