Coi gene as a molecular marker of elachista species (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae: Elachistinae) from different lithuanian populations

Abstract

We compared COI DNA sequences of three Elachista species occurring in Lithuania: Elachista maculicerusella, E. argentella, and E. pollinariella (Gelechioidea: Elachistidae: Elachistinae). Also, intraspecific differences in COI DNA between moth populations were tested. A 705 bp fragment of the 3'-end of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) was used. This mtDNA fragment was significantly different between all studied species. Intraspecific differences were detected only for E. maculicerusella from different Lithuanian populations. Our results support using the COI gene for identification of Elachista species and as a tool for exploring intraspecific differences between populations.