Intraspecific genetic diversity of two black fly species (Diptera: Simuliidae) from South India using DNA barcode based RFLP analysis

Abstract

The population genetic diversity of two black fly species (S. (S.) gurneyae and S. (S.) nilgiricum) was investigated along an elevational gradient in two hills of South India by mitochondrial gene sequence of cytochrome coxidase subunit I (COI) based Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). By comparing the similarity of the bands produced by three restriction endonuclease enzymes, the genetic distance was calculated among sampling sites. The mean Kimura two parameter divergences of two black fly species between sampling sites was observed less than 13% and the higher genetic differentiation occurred at higher elevational sites (>1000 m). These result suggest that hypothesis of speciation is related with higher elevational site in black flies.