Genomic Characterization of Episyrphus balteatus (Diptera: Syrphidae) from Outer and Lower Himalayas, India

The present study deals with genomic characterization of a hover fly Episyrphus balteatus using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA. RAPD-PCR analysis was carried out to compare genomic DNA of six geographically distinct populations of E. balteatus from Outer and Lower Himalayas using decamer oligonucleotide primers. The RAPD-PCR method detected a number of discrete DNA bands with different intensities. Ten random primers produced 39 bands in the studied populations out of which 25 bands were polymorphic. These polymorphic bands were used to differentiate the six populations of E. balteatus. PIC (Polymorphism Information Content) and RP (Resolving Power) values was 0.3312 and 6.06 respectively. Genetic similarity between studied populations ranged from 0.564 to 0.872. Among the studied population the lowest genetic distance (0.128) was observed between population P1 and P3 whereas highest (0.436) was observed between P5 and P6. These changes in DNA showed the geographical accumulation of variations with the course of time that leads to differential adaptability towards the environmental pressures. Dendrogram was prepared using UPGMA. Cluster analysis reveals various evolutionary adaptations of E. balteatus populations. P1 and P3 are classified as most related populations whereas P6 is relatively distant from the other five populations.