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Differentiation of Solenopsis invicta social forms using high resolution melt PCR

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2011

J. Oakey ,
E. Harris ,
B. Pease ,
C. Jennings  and
K. McCubbin
J. Oakey*
Affiliation:
Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory, Biosecurity Queensland, Health & Food Science Precinct, PO Box 156, Archerfield BC, QLD 4108, Australia
E. Harris
Affiliation:
Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory, Biosecurity Queensland, Health & Food Science Precinct, PO Box 156, Archerfield BC, QLD 4108, Australia
B. Pease
Affiliation:
Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory, Biosecurity Queensland, Health & Food Science Precinct, PO Box 156, Archerfield BC, QLD 4108, Australia
C. Jennings
Affiliation:
Biosecurity Queensland Control Centre, PO Box 1241, Oxley, QLD 4075, Australia
K. McCubbin
Affiliation:
Former address: Biosecurity Queensland Control Centre, PO Box 1241, Oxley, QLD 4075, Australia
*
*Authors for correspondence Fax: ++61 (0) 7 3216 6620 E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Solenopsis invicta Buren (red imported fire ant) are invasive pests that have the capability of major destructive impacts on lifestyle, ecology and economy. Control of this species is dependent, in part, upon ability to estimate the potential spread from newly discovered nests. The potential for spread and the spread characteristics differ between monogyne and polygyne social forms. Prior to this study, differentiation of the two social forms in laboratory test samples commonly used a method involving restriction endonuclease digestion of an amplified Gp-9 fragment. Success of this assay is limited by the quality of DNA, which in the field-collected insects may be affected by temporary storage in unfavourable conditions. Here, we describe an alternative and highly objective assay based upon a high resolution melt technique following preamplification of a significantly shorter Gp-9 fragment than that required for restriction endonuclease digestion. We demonstrate the application of this assay to a S. invicta incursion in Queensland, Australia, using field samples from which DNA may be partially degraded. The reductions in hands-on requirements and overall duration of the assay underpin its suitability for high-throughput testing.

Keywords

Solenopsis invictaGp-9HRMmonogynepolygyne
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 101 , Issue 5 , October 2011 , pp. 581 - 589
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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