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Mountain pine beetle host-range expansion threatens the boreal forest
Catherine I Cullingham1, Janice E K Cooke, Sophie Dang
1Department of Biological Sciences, CW405 Biological Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada. cathy.cullingham@ualberta.ca
Molecular Ecology
|April 5, 2011
Summary
The mountain pine beetle (MPB) is now successfully attacking jack pine, a species previously resistant to infestation. This host-range expansion poses a significant new risk to boreal forests, potentially driven by climate change.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Forestry
- Entomology
Background:
- The mountain pine beetle (MPB) epidemic has caused extensive lodgepole pine mortality in western North America.
- Forest composition is shifting towards jack pine in Alberta, creating a hybrid zone.
- Jack pine's susceptibility to MPB and potential host-range expansion are significant concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of microsatellite loci for classifying lodgepole pine, jack pine, and their hybrids.
- To identify the ancestry of MPB-attacked trees at the epidemic's leading edge.
- To determine if MPB can successfully infest natural jack pine stands.
Main Methods:
- Developed and tested a panel of microsatellite loci for species and hybrid classification.
- Used simulated data to validate the accuracy of the microsatellite markers.
- Applied the validated markers to identify the genetic ancestry of MPB-attacked trees in natural stands.
Main Results:
- Microsatellite loci accurately classified lodgepole pine, jack pine, and their hybrids.
- Confirmed the first successful mountain pine beetle attacks in natural jack pine stands.
- Identified jack pine as a novel host for MPB at the leading edge of the epidemic.
Conclusions:
- Jack pine is now a viable host for the mountain pine beetle, expanding the epidemic's potential range.
- This host-range expansion represents a novel risk to boreal ecosystems.
- Climate change may exacerbate this threat, with potentially significant consequences for forest composition and health.
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