Presence of the Eucalyptus snout beetle in Ecuador and potential invasion risk in South America.

ABSTRACT: Eucalyptus snout beetles are a complex of at least eight cryptic species (Curculionidae: Gonipterus scutellatus complex), native to mainland Australia and Tasmania, that defoliate Eucalyptus trees and are considered important pests. Since the 19th century, three species of the complex have been introduced to other continents. Here, we document the presence of Eucalyptus snout beetles in Ecuador. We used DNA data for species identification and unambiguously demonstrated that the Ecuadorian specimens belong to the species Gonipterus platensis, which has low genetic diversity compared with other species in the complex. We analyzed G. platensis' potential distribution in South America with ecological niche models and found several areas of high to inte

SUBMITTER: Crespo-Perez V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10509408 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature