Analiza populacija velikog voskovog moljca Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus, 1758) geometrijskom morfometrijom

undergraduate thesis

• Title (english): Analysis of populations of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus, 1758) using geometric morphometrics
• Author: Vinko Radan
• Mentor: Helena Virić Gašparić (mentor)
• Committee member: Helena Virić Gašparić (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Darija Lemić (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Saša Prđun (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Agriculture; (Agricultural Zoology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2023-09-18, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOTECHNICAL SCIENCES; Agronomy

Abstract

Veliki voskov moljac (Galleria mellonella) jedan je od najvažnijih štetnika pčelinjih zajednica posebno na saćima pohranjenim izvan pčelarske sezone. Oštećuje saće i dijelom neizgrađenu satnu osnovu, pčelinju pelud i drvene dijelove košnice. Također prenose razne patogene. Napadi voskovih moljaca najčešći su u ranoj jeseni i kasnom proljeću. Cilj ovog rada bio je analizom oblika krila utvrditi razlike između populacija voskovih moljaca prikupljenih iz konvencionalne i ekološke proizvodnje na području Hrvatske. U tu svrhu korištene su metode geometrijske morfometrije. Provedene su analize glavnih komponenti (PCA) i kanonijska diskriminantna analiza (CVA). Ukupno je analizirano 135 uzoraka krila približno podjednakog omjera mužjaka i ženki (48 : 52 %). Na krila voskovih moljaca postavljani su specifični markeri; 12 na donja i 11 na gornja krila. Nije utvrđena varijabilnost između spolova, odnosno spolni dimorfizam što ukazuje na stabilne populacije. Nadalje, razlike u agroekološkim uvjetima i tipovima proizvodnje ne utječu značajno na varijabilnost populacija, što sugerira prisutnost fenotipske plastičnosti te sposobnost prilagodbe novim staništima uz stabilne genotipove. Utvrđena je varijabilnost u veličini gornjih krila, osobito kod ženki s područja Zadra. Ovakav nalaz upućuje na potencijalne razlike između kopnenih i obalnih populacija, što može dati ovoj vrsti konkurentske prednosti pri širenju na nova područja. Dodatna istraživanja pomoću geometrijske morfometrije na vrsti G. mellonella mogla bi bolje osvijetliti povezanost između morfologije krila i prilagodljivosti, pružajući tako bolje temelje za razvoj strategija kontrole te sprječavanje širenja na nova okruženja.

Abstract (english)

The Greater Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella) is one of the most important pests of bee colonies, especially on combs stored outside the beekeeping season. It damages the comb and partly the undrawn comb foundation, bee pollen, and wooden parts of the hive. They also transmit various pathogens. Wax moth attacks are most common in early autumn and late spring. The aim of this study was to determine differences between populations of wax moths collected from conventional and organic production in Croatia using wing shape analysis. Geometric morphometrics methods were used for this purpose. Principal component analyses (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CVA) were conducted. A total of 135 wing samples were analyzed, approximately with an equal ratio of males to females (48 : 52%). Specific markers were placed on the wax moth wings; 12 on the lower and 11 on the upper wings. No variability was found between sexes, that is, sexual dimorphism, indicating stable populations. Furthermore, differences in agroecological conditions and types of production do not significantly affect population variability, suggesting the presence of phenotypic plasticity and the ability to adapt to new habitats with stable genotypes. Variability in the size of the upper wings was observed, especially in females from the Zadar area. This finding suggests potential differences between inland and coastal populations, which can give this species a competitive advantage when spreading to new areas. Further research using geometric morphometrics on the G. mellonella species could better elucidate the connection between wing morphology and adaptability, thus providing a better foundation for the development of control strategies and preventing the spread to new environments.

• Keywords: CVA; Galleria mellonella; geometrijska morfometrija; PCA; pčelarstvo
• Keywords (english): CVA; Galleria mellonella; geometric morphometrics; PCA; beekeeping
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:204:692643
• Study programme: Title: Plant Protection; Study programme type: university; Study level: undergraduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) inženjer/inženjerka zaštite bilja (sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) inženjer/inženjerka zaštite bilja)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Access restricted to students and staff of home institution
• Created on: 2024-09-25 09:24:13