International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 208-218 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 211 Figure 1 Neighbor-joining tree of COI partial gene sequences of Calaphis spp. (66 sequences of 5 morphospecies) (Adopted from Lee et al., 2017) Phylogenetic analysis using DNA barcodes has also provided insights into the evolutionary relationships among aphid species. In the genus Toxoptera, COI barcoding successfully differentiated species and suggested the presence of cryptic species within the genus (Wang and Qiao, 2009). Additionally, studies on Chaitophorinae aphids employed multiple mitochondrial genes and endosymbiont genes to enhance species delimitation, demonstrating that COI and COII genes are particularly suitable for DNA barcoding in this group (Zhu et al., 2017). These findings underscore the utility of DNA barcoding not only for species identification but also for elucidating phylogenetic relationships and uncovering hidden biodiversity. 4.2 Genomic tools and molecular markers in aphid systematics Beyond DNA barcoding, other genomic tools and molecular markers have been employed to advance aphid systematics. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) based on the COI gene has been used to identify aphid species in Kenya, providing a rapid and accurate method for distinguishing between morphologically similar species (Kinyanjui et al., 2016). This approach, combined with DNA barcoding, has proven effective in identifying economically important aphid species and aiding in pest management strategies. The development of comprehensive DNA barcode libraries is crucial for the effective application of these genomic tools. For example, a study on subtropical aphids created a DNA barcode library encompassing 1 581 specimens from 143 morphospecies, facilitating species identification and population differentiation (Li et al., 2019). Similarly, efforts to build a reference library for pest aphids in Pakistan have highlighted the importance of well-parameterized libraries for accurate species identification and the detection of invasive species (Naseem et al., 2019). These libraries serve as valuable resources for future research and practical applications in aphid systematics and pest management.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==