Identification of insect community inhabiting Kaas plateau, Western ghats through cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene
Journal Title: Journal of Applied and Natural Science - Year 2016, Vol 8, Issue 4
Abstract
Kaas Plateau is located in Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India. The region is one of its kinds being a biodiversity hot spot declared by UNESCO representing rich biodiversity of Western Ghats in India. However, insect biodiversity of this region has not been studied in detail so far. Thus, the present study was aimed at identification of insect community based on mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (MT-CO1), for quick and reliable identification. During a collection trip, several insect specimens were collected, which belonged to seven insect orders, viz., Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Orthoptera and Thysanoptera. Based on their morphological characteristics, specimens collected were delineated in to various orders and families. This resulted in determination of possible 15 different insect species, of which 7 could be identified up to species level. Remaining 8 sequences were matched with existing GenBank database that was > 96%, therefore, were considered as putative species. One specimen could be identified up to genus level, viz., Cicindela sp. and one up to family level - Pentatomidae and six up to order level only, i.e., Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Thysanoptera (2 specimens). The results suggested that 50% of the community could be identified to species level with MT-CO1 gene and at least about 8 specimens could possibly be new species for India. The insects thus collected from Kaas plateau were molecularly identified and at least 50% of collections were delineated to species level on the basis of their DNA barcodes for the first time.
Authors and Affiliations
Rakshit Ojha, S. K. Jalali, T. M. Shivalingaswamy, T. Venkatesan, J. Poorani, S. M. Galande
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP286013
- DOI -
- Views 90
- Downloads 0
Evapotranspiration mapping for agricultural water management: An overview
Evapotranspiration (ET) is an essential component of the water balance. Any attempt to improve water use efficiency must be based on reliable estimates of ET, which includes water evaporation from land and water surfaces...
Oxidative stability and storage quality of Menthalongifolia L. extract fortified fish nuggets at refrigeration temperature
The present study was experimented to explore antioxidant potential of herb viz. M. longifolia L. inelongating the shelf life of emulsion based fish product. Since the fish meat product contain excessive amount ofprotein...
Ethno-botanical survey for wild plants in fringe villages around Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India
In this study an ethno-botanical survey was carried out in the fringe villages located at the periphery of Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary. As the sanctuary area is not completely fenced the villagers have an access ins...
Lichen diversity of Padder Valley Kishtwar (J&K), India
Lichens are one of the most successful group of organisms and form an important aspect of biodiversity of any region. But still lichens are under explored in most of regions. The present work has been carried out i...
Spectrum of threats to nests of Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus in Kurukshetra outskirts-a case study
It is one thing that Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus is, rather a common bird on the outskirts of wheat harvested fields in outskirts of Kurukshetra, yet, Yellow-wattled Lapwing V. malabaricus (Boddaert, 1783) is a...