Local adaptation of an introduced transgenic insect fungal pathogen due to new beneficial mutations.

ABSTRACT: Genetically modified Metarhizium spp represent a major new arsenal for combating insect pests and insect-borne diseases. However, for these tools to be used safely and effectively, we need a much better understanding of their evolutionary potential and invasion ecology. In order to model natural as well as anthropogenic dispersal scenarios, we investigated evolutionary processes in a green fluorescent protein tagged strain of Metarhizium robertsii following transfer from a semitropical to a temperate soil community. Adaptive changes occurred over four years despite recurrent genetic bottlenecks and lack of recombination with locally well adapted strains. By coupling microarray-based functional analysis with DNA hybridizations we determined that expression of cell wall and stress response g

SUBMITTER: Wang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3251136 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature