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Origins of Vespa velutina hornet that recently invaded Iki Island, Japan and Jersey Island, UK

Takahashi, J; Okuyama, H; Kiyoshi, T; Takeuchi, T; Martin, SJ

Authors

J Takahashi

H Okuyama

T Kiyoshi

T Takeuchi



Abstract

The native distribution of the yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, is throughout East Asia. Around 15 years ago this species was accidentally introduced into South Korea and France, where it became established and then spread into neighbouring countries. Previous mitochondrial DNA studies showed that the South Korean, Japanese, and French populations all originated from Eastern China. Recently, the hornet has invaded Iki Island, Japan and Jersey Island, UK. In this study, we analyze the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of V. velutina to trace the origin of these two populations. The mitochondrial DNA haplotypes (COI, Cytb, and 16S rRNA) of V. velutina in Iki Island matched the unique haplotype present in China, South Korea, and Japan, while the haplotype from Jersey Island matched that of V. velutina found in France and China. These findings were supported by data from the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of V. velutina from Iki Island, which was consistent with the sequence from South Korea and Tsushima, whereas V. velutina in Jersey was most similar to the French population.

Citation

Takahashi, J., Okuyama, H., Kiyoshi, T., Takeuchi, T., & Martin, S. (2019). Origins of Vespa velutina hornet that recently invaded Iki Island, Japan and Jersey Island, UK. Mitochondrial DNA Part A, 30(3), 434-439. https://doi.org/10.1080/24701394.2018.1538366

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 13, 2018
Online Publication Date Nov 29, 2018
Publication Date Jan 1, 2019
Deposit Date Jun 5, 2019
Journal Mitochondrial DNA Part A
Print ISSN 2470-1394
Electronic ISSN 2470-1408
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Volume 30
Issue 3
Pages 434-439
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/24701394.2018.1538366
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1080/24701394.2018.1538366
Related Public URLs https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/imdn21/current