Annual variation of the Orosanga japonica Melichar 1898 (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) populations in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey and possible molecular separation with based on 28S rDNA sequences from other Ricaniidae groups

Abstract

Orosanga japonica (Melichar, 1898) is one of the invasive species that are distributed in the eastern Black Sea coastal zone. The aim of the study was to determine the annual variation of the populations and solve the taxonomic problem in Turkey of the species with different tools. For this purpose, the specimens were collected from 14 different locations along the eastern Black Sea coastal zone of Artvin, Rize, Trabzon for investigating annual variation and from 15 different locations for achieving molecular separation. Population counts were performed from May to September during two years (2014-2015). Populations were found generally in nymphal stage in May and adult densities were very low in 2014. On the contrary, adult individuals could not be counted in May 2015. Adult population peak was seen in July and August in 2014 and August and September in 2015. Based on 28S region DNA sequences, 6 haplotypes were found. Two main branches were determined in the dendrogram generated by using 28S rDNA sequence. Molecular data showed that our samples belonged to the main branch together with some Ricaniidae and Flatidae GenBank samples but in one different line. Ricania simulans GenBank sample situated second branch. The samples collected in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey were found to be O. japonica according to the detailed morphological examinations and molecular results showed that can be separated from other Ricaniidae samples.