PRIMARY RESEARCH PAPER | Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology DOI 10.26757/pjsb2020c14002

DNA barcode of the Lanzones scale , mabilis Lit & Barbecho (: )

Vanessa Kate I. Alvarez1, Ireneo L. Lit, Jr.2,3,§, Cristian C. Lucañas2,3, Kristine O. Abenis2, Romnick A. Latina1, and Barbara L. Caoili1,*

Abstract

The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) nucleotide sequences of Unaspis mabilis Lit & Barbecho (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), are provided for the first time. The total genomic DNA of each was extracted from individuals infesting lanzones leaves from three selected sites in Los Baños, Laguna. A partial COI gene amplicon with approximately 750 bp was obtained using the primer pair PcoF1 and LepR1. Nucleotide sequence alignment showed no variation among the COI sequences from all the samples. BLASTn search yielded no significant match with any of the available sequences for Unaspis species. The closest hit was tubercularis Newstead (GenBank Accession No. HM474091) with 87.4% nucleotide similarity. Nonetheless, phylogenetic analyses revealed that generated COI sequences from U. mabilis form a monophyletic clade with U. yanonensis and U. euonymi, with closer proximity to the former. These findings also strengthen the species status of U. mabilis under the genus Unaspis. The DNA barcodes generated from this study (GenBank Acc. Nos. MN114099, MN14101, and MN114102), could, therefore, be used to verify the species identity of other lanzones scale accessions, as well as monitor the distribution and spread of U. mabilis, which would greatly influence possible pest management options.

Keywords: cytochrome C oxidase I, COI, Lansium domesticum Correa, lanzones

Introduction such as diarrhea, fever, dysentery, and even malaria (Yapp and Yap 2003). However, recent threats posed by insect pests Lanzones, Lansium parasiticum (Osbeck) Sahni & Bennet gravely affected its local production. (=Lansium domesticum Corrêa), is a well-known fruit sold in The recently described Unaspis mabilis Lit & Barbecho the Philippine market. In 2013, the volume of production for (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) is a species of armored scale insect lanzones reached approximately 35,000 MT (Philippine that infests on lanzones. Serious infestation was first observed in Statistics Authority 2018). Aside from being a table fruit, it is 2004 in North Cotabato (Provido 2007). The same scale insect also known to have medicinal value, which makes it a good was also found to attack lanzones in Davao (Provido 2007; DA- choice of crop for massive production (Tilaar et al. 2008). SMIARC 2014), South Cotabato and Saranggani provinces Lanzones is known as an alternative medicine to treat illnesses (Tacio 2008). In addition, an outbreak in Makilala, North Cotabato was reported in 2009 (Lit & Barbecho 2014). The 1Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los infestation was reported to have spread to Negros Occidental Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines; 2Environmental Biology (pers. comm.), Batangas (Watson 2015), Laguna (Lit & Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Barbecho 2014; Watson 2015), and recently in Aklan (Lit 2015, Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna unpublished identification report). 4031 Philippines Owing to the minute nature of these scale , there 3 Entomology Section, Museum of Natural History, University of the were several misidentifications, as summarized by Lit & Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines Barbecho (2014) and Watson (2015). They were initially

misidentified in popular pest reports as Lepidosaphes ulmi *Corresponding email: [email protected] (Linnaeus), and later as Lepidosaphes beckii (Newman), as their § Co-corresponding email: [email protected] scale cover superficially resembles those of mussel scales (e.g.

Date Submitted: 13 August 2019 Mindanews 2007; Provido 2007; Cahatian & Pagal 2011). Later on, it was thought to represent (Comstock) (e.g. Date Accepted: 27 June 2020 © Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines Volume 14 Issue 3 - 2020 | 1

Alvarez et al.: DNA barcode of the Lanzones scale insect

BPI-NPQD 2014). There were also a few misconceptions in centrifugation at 15,000 x g for 20 min. The DNA pellet was national news that “coconut scale insects Aspidiotus spp. allowed to air-dry and was resuspended in 20 µL DNA spreads to lanzones” (Valencia 2014). However, a careful and hydration solution with 0.3 µL of RNAse. The tubes were thorough morphological examination by Lit & Barbecho (2014) incubated at 37°C for 1 h and then incubated at 65°C for another established that the mussel scale insect is a new species, hour. The samples were stored at -20°C until use. Unaspis mabilis Lit & Barbecho. Despite only being reported from the country, Lit & Amplification of COI gene Barbecho (2014) hypothesized that it may be an invasive The COI gene was amplified using PcoF1 (5’- species, based on its aggressive behavior and spread. With that, CCTTCAACTAATCATAAAAATATYAG-3’), and LepR1 (5’- a more robust monitoring system should be implemented. The TAAACTTCTGGATGTCCAAAAAATCA -3’) primers use of a DNA barcode for U. mabilis, would serve as a useful following the thermocycle conditions; 2 min at 95°C; 5 cycles of tool to survey and monitor its spread as well as understand its 40 s at 94°C, 40 s at 45°C, 70 s at 72°C; 40 cycles of 40 s at 94° biogeographical origins, which is essential in designing efficient C, 40 s at 51°C, 70 s at 72°C; 5 min at 72°C; held at 4°C (Park management programs. et al. 2010) in 25 µL PCR reaction mixture containing 12.5 µL The mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI), of 2X Taq Master mix (Vivantis, Malaysia), 10 pmol PcoF1, 10 serves as a standard DNA barcode for . This COI gene pmol LepR1, 4 mM MgCl2, and 50 ng genomic DNA. The has a simple genomic structure, is distinct, easy to isolate and amplicons were resolved in 1% agarose gel in 0.5x TBE buffer has a rapid pace of evolutionary change (Avise et al. 1987), and stained with GelRed® (Biotium, Inc., Fremont, CA, USA). is one of the most frequently sequenced mitochondrial DNA Molecular size of the PCR products were estimated using genes (Caterino et al. 2000). Here, the partial sequences of the VC100 bp Plus DNA Ladder (Vivantis, Malaysia). The gels mitochondrial COI gene that could be used as a DNA barcode were viewed and photographed using Alpha Imager Mini of the lanzones scale insect, U. mabilis, is provided. (Protein Simple, San Jose, CA, USA) at 302 nm.

Materials and Methods COI nucleotide sequence analysis Samples with corresponding expected molecular weight of Insect samples amplicons were sent to Apical Scientific Sdn. Bhd. (Taman Unaspis mabilis samples were collected from lanzones Serdang Perdana, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia) trees in three sites in Los Baños, Laguna: Mt. Makiling Station via Asia Gel Corp. (Villa Lourdes Townhomes, Congressional 9, Bagong Silang, and Mudspring. High rates of lanzones scale Avenue, Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City 1100) for Sanger insect infestation were recorded in these areas. The specimens sequencing. The generated nucleotide sequences were edited in were verified as U. mabilis by Dr. Ireneo L. Lit, Jr., the main BioEdit software (Hall 1999). Those with high quality author of the species. nucleotide sequences were then subjected to BLASTn (https:// blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi?PAGE_TYPE=Blast Search) Total genomic DNA extraction for NCBI database mining. Phylogenetic analysis of the The total genomic DNA of each lanzones scale insect was generated COI sequences was also performed using Mega X extracted following the protocol of the and Fungi (Kumar et al. 2018) Genomic DNA Extraction Kit™ (Jena Bioscience, Germany) with slight modifications. Briefly, fresh specimens were placed Results and Discussion individually on the cap of a 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube and homogenized in 40 µL of cell lysis buffer with 0.3 µL The primer pair PcoF1 and LepR1, designed to address the proteinase K solution. The homogenates were incubated at 55°C low recovery of COI barcodes for scale insects (Park et al. for 2 h. After which, 30 µL of protein precipitation solution was 2010), successfully generated an approximately 750 bp COI then added into each tube, mixed on a vortex mixer for 30 s and gene amplicon from Unaspis mabilis samples from the three centrifuged at 15,000 x g for 10 min. The supernatant was then collection sites (Figure 1). The amplicons generated were of the transferred into a new microcentrifuge tube with 80 µL of same expected molecular size as those reported by Park et al. isopropanol, which was then mixed by inverting the tubes 50 (2010). times. The genomic DNA was collected by centrifugation at High-quality COI nucleotide sequences of 649 bp in length 15,000 x g for 15 min to form the DNA pellet. After discarding were obtained from the insect samples from Barangay Bagong the supernatant, 100 µl washing buffer was added followed by Silang (n=10), Mudspring Area (n=12), and Mt. Makiling

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relatively low nucleotide identity match with A. tubercularis is due to 86 substitution sites observed within the COI gene region. Surprisingly, an even lower percentage nucleotide identity match (86.35%) was observed between the U. mabilis COI nucleotide sequences and its congener, U. euonymi (Comstock) (GenBank Acc. No. HM474405.1), with 91 substitution sites observed (Figure 3). These results further proved the utility of the generated COI sequences as DNA barcode for U. mabilis. Despite a deep sequence genetic divergence (>2%) and apparent BLAST mismatch, phylogenetic analysis of Diaspididae COI nucleotide sequences revealed that the Figure 1. Molecular size estimation of the amplicons of cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene region of Unaspis mabilis Lit & Barbecho from generated U. mabilis DNA barcodes form a monophyletic clade three sites in Los Baños, Laguna (Lanes 1-12 in each panel). The PCR with U. yanonensis (Kuwana) and U. euonymi indicative of its products are resolved in 1% agarose gel ran in 0.5x TBE buffer and valid species status under Unaspis genus (Figure 4). stained with GelRed® (Biotium, Inc., USA). VC 100 bp Plus DNA Interestingly, U. mabilis had a closer proximity to U. yanonensis Ladder (Vivantis, Malaysia) was used as a molecular size standard than U. euonymi. Nevertheless, the degree of divergence and (MW). uniqueness of U. mabilis COI barcode from the rest of the sequences examined proved its utility as a marker for this Station 9 (n=10). Alignment of the nucleotide sequences species. In a DNA barcoding study using the same COI locus showed a 100% identity among all the samples without any stop done by Park et al. (2011b), high genetic differences were also codon within the deduced amino acid sequence (Figure 2) and observed among scale insects belonging to Pseudococcidae and thus, represents an uninterrupted open reading frame. This Diaspididae. It was reported that genetic divergences within result confirmed the integrity of the COI nucleotide sequences species (n=57 taxa) and in congeneric species (n=30 taxa) generated, and hence, could serve as an ideal DNA barcode for ranged from 0-5.98% with a mean of 0.97%, and 1.93-23.29% U. mabilis. with a mean of 10.09%, respectively. Almost similar degree of Comparison of the U. mabilis COI nucleotide sequence divergence ranges within and in congeneric species was also with other COI sequences in GenBank revealed an 87.40% observed in 1,090 Heteroptera COI barcodes (Park et al. 2011a). identity match with another armored scale, Aulacaspis The nucleotide sequence identity matrix of U. mabilis, U. tubercularis Newstead (GenBank Acc. No. HM474091.1). The euonymi, and A. tubercularis showing the divergence among the

Figure 2. Nucleotide sequence alignment and the deduced amino acid sequence of cytochrome c oxidase I gene of Unaspis mabilis Lit & Barbecho infesting lanzones Lansium parasiticum collected in Bagong Silang (MN114099), Mud Spring (MN114101) and Mt. Makiling Station 9 (MN114102), Los Baños, Laguna.

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Alvarez et al.: DNA barcode of the Lanzones scale insect

Figure 3. Multiple nucleotide sequence alignment of cytochrome c oxidase I gene consensus sequence of Unaspis mabilis Lit & Barbecho infesting lanzones, Lansium parasiticum, Aulascaspis tubercularis (HM474091.1) and U. euonymi (HM474405.1). species is summarized in Table 1. U. mabilis samples are Aulacaspis belongs) and the Unaspis group, within the tribe significantly different from U. euonymi and A. tubercularis with (Normark et al. 2019). genetic distances of 14.4% and 13.3%, respectively. These With the very minute size of U. mabilis, the availability of sequence variation values are highly significant since a a DNA barcode will speed up studies on its distribution across minimum of 2.0% divergence in the COI nucleotide sequence is geographical locations. This DNA barcode, which is the first enough for species delineation (Hebert et al. 2003). report for U. mabilis, could also be used as a tool to monitor and By itself, the closeness of U. mabilis with U. euonymi is trace the spread of this insect as well as identify other potential attributable to their being congeners but the significant host plants. The identical COI sequences obtained from the three difference confirms the distinctness of U. mabilis as a species, populations suggest the presence of only one haplotype, an as first established by Lit & Barbecho (2014) based on indication that the establishment is recent. Comparison of the morphological characters. In fact, it is the first Unaspis species DNA barcode from U. mabilis from other locations could, to be reported on a host plant in the Meliaceae. The closest therefore, provide potential data for understanding its origins. match, albeit 87% only, with A. tubercularis, can be attributed Such information is essential in designing pest management to the closeness of the subtribe Chionaspidina (where strategies against this pest.

Table 1. Nucleotide sequence identity matrix of Unaspis mabilis Lit & Barbecho infesting lanzones, Lansium parasiticum collected in Bagong Silang (MN114099), Mud Spring (MN114101) and Mt. Makiling Station 9 (MN114102), Los Baños, Laguna. U. mabilis U. mabilis U. mabilis A. tubercularis U. euonymi COI Sequences MN114099 MN114101 MN114102 HM74091.1 HM74405.1 U. mabilis MN114099 1 1 0.867 0.856 U. mabilis MN114101 1 1 0.867 0.856 U. mabilis MN114102 1 1 0.867 0.856 A. tubercularis HM74091.1 0.867 0.867 0.867 0.855 U. euonymi HM74405.1 0.856 0.856 0.856 0.855

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Figure 4. Phylogenetic relationship of Unaspis mabilis (n=3) and selected Diaspididae species (n=27) based on partial nucleotide sequences of cytochrome C oxidase I sequences analyzed by neighbor-joining using K2P distance model and 1000 bootstraps, with Pseudococcidae species namely, Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi (KY373149.1) and Planococcus citri (EU250560.1) as outgroups.

Conclusion and Recommendation Acknowledgement

A 649 bp long COI gene sequence was generated as a We thank the Department of Science and Technology – DNA barcode for U. mabilis. This important molecular Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural information can facilitate studies on the distribution of this Resources Research and Development for funding the projects species across geographical locations, particularly where (1) Development of Molecular Diagnostic Tools for Armored lanzones are grown. It could also provide potential data for Scale Insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and their Natural understanding its biogeographical origins, especially since there Enemies on Coconut and Associated Crops (Phases 1 and 2) is doubt as to the species current endemic status in the and (2) Morphology-Based Diagnostics of Armored Scale Philippines and the hypothesis that it might be an invasive alien Insects (Hemiptera: Diapididae) and Their Natural Enemies on species. In turn, such understanding can have potentially great Coconuts and Associated Crops (Phases 1 and 2), under which impacts on possible pest management options. Future detection the scale insects on lanzones trees within coconut plantations on other potential host plants can also be hastened using this were initially collected and studied. The fresh materials used for molecular barcode. generating the DNA barcode were collected under a permit granted by the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems,

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Valencia, C. 2014. Cocolisap spreads to lanzones, mangosteen. ABS-CBN News, 09 July, 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2019 from https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/07/08/14/ cocolisap-spreads-lanzones-mangosteen. Watson, G.W., 2015. Unaspis lansivora sp.n. (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), a new pest of Lansium domesticum (Meliaceae), and a key to Unaspis species. Zootaxa, 3905 (3): 432-440. doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3905.3.9. Yapp, D.T. & S.Y. Yap, 2003. Lansium domesticum: skin and leaf extracts of this fruit tree interrupt the lifecycle of Plasmodium falciparum and are active towards a chloroquine-resistant strain of the parasite (T9) in vitro. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 85(1): 145-150. doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(02)00375-6.

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