Population structure and genetic diversity analysis in Gynaikothrips uzeli (Zimerman, 1909) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) by RAPD markers

Population genetics has come of age. Three important components have come together: efficient techniques to examine informative segments of DNA, statistics to analyse DNA data and the availability of easy-to-use computer packages. Single-locus genetic markers and those that produce gene genealogies yield information that is truly comparable among studies. These markers answer biological questions most efficiently and also contribute to much broader investigations of evolutionary, population and conservation biology. For these reasons, single-locus and genealogical markers should be the focus of the intensive genetic data collection that has begun owing to the power of genetics in population biology.

Published literature on thrips has been dominated by descriptive taxonomy, pest control work, and generalized synecology. The lack of studies examining the detailed biology or autecology of any species limits our understanding of how thrips live and the processes underlying their diversification. Similarly, the phylogenetic inadequacy of thrips classification limits our ability to examine the evolution of biological traits. The extent to which our knowledge of the biology of thrips has increased in recent years is reviewed, such as the behavior of particular species and their interactions with other organisms, including host plant associations, pollination, predation, and natural enemies--factors involved in driving diversification within this order of opportunistic insects.