Abstract
Thirty-five clones of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulz., representing a wide range of host plants and geographical origins, were examined electrophoretically. Only 11 of 26 enzymes were active enough for subsequent work. Since genetic crosses are very difficult to make in the parthenogenetic M. persicae, assigning bands to loci and alleles is necessarily arbitrary. Thirty-two isozyme bands were detected. Only two of these (Est-1 and Est-3) migrated to different distances in some clones. This is a very low level of interclone variation, considering the known properties and origins of the clones. The peculiar feeding habits of aphids may perhaps partly explain the inactivity of so many enzymes in M. persicae (which are active in other insects). The scarcity of interclone variation in isozyme migration distance in M. persicae clones may be the result of its fast parthenogenetic reproduction and high migration ability of alates, combined with the effects of natural and artificial selection (e.g., by insecticides). Surviving genotypes may be rather few, each represented by numerous individuals. The only type of widespread electrophoretic variation is in the intensity of two esterase bands (Est-1 and Est-2). Five hypotheses are presented to explain this variation and discussed in view of evidence from other organisms.
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This research was carried out during Dr. David Wool's study leave at the University of Reading, supported in part by the Royal Society, London.
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Wool, D., Bunting, S. & van Emden, H.F. Electrophoretic study of genetic variation in British Myzus persicae (Sulz.) (hemiptera, aphididae). Biochem Genet 16, 987–1006 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00483749
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00483749