Genomic assembly and resequencing of the mango seed weevil Sternochetus mangiferae (Fabricius) provide insights into host adaptation and invasion control

Lijie Zhang; Jinwu He; Ru Zhang; Wei Liu; Wenting Wan; Siqin Ge; Huaijun Xue; Xueyan Li

doi:10.1002/ps.8956

Genomic assembly and resequencing of the mango seed weevil Sternochetus mangiferae (Fabricius) provide insights into host adaptation and invasion control

Pest Manag Sci. 2025 Jun 9. doi: 10.1002/ps.8956. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lijie Zhang^#¹, Jinwu He^#², Ru Zhang^#^{3

4}, Wei Liu², Wenting Wan², Siqin Ge^{5

6}, Huaijun Xue⁷, Xueyan Li^{2

6

8}

Affiliations

¹ Science and Technology Research Center of China Customs, Beijing, China.
² Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.
³ School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi, China.
⁵ Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
⁶ University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
⁷ Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
⁸ Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Information, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 40488342
DOI: 10.1002/ps.8956

Abstract

Background: Sternochetus mangiferae (Fabricius) is a monophagous beetle that exclusively feeds on mango seeds and is recognized as one of the most destructive quarantine pests worldwide. Despite its considerable ecological and economic impacts, the genomic basis underpinning its host specialization and invasion potential remains poorly understood.

Results: A high-quality genomic assembly was generated, totaling 701.87 Mb with a contig N50 of 3.57 Mb, an Illumina read mapping rate of 98.95%, and a BUSCO score of 98.70%. Comparative genomic analyses revealed extensive adaptive remodeling across specific genes and gene families, elucidating the genomic basis of cryptic host adaptation and monophagous feeding. Positive selection signals were identified in key genes associated with chemoperception and detoxification, including ionotropic receptors (Zam04533.t1 and Zam07460.t1), phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (Zam06212.t1), and ABC transporters [Zam09905.t1 (ABCB) and Zam06853.t1 (ABCG)]. Contractions were observed in gene families involved in chemosensory perception, such as gustatory receptors and odorant receptors, and detoxification-related genes, including GSTs, carboxyl/cholinesterases, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, consistent with adaptation to a concealed ecological niche. Conversely, expansions in plant cell wall degrading enzymes, such as pectinase CE8 and cellulases GH45, likely enhanced the efficient digestion of mango seeds. Resequencing of 104 globally intercepted individuals from 51 countries across 5 continents revealed weak population genetic structure and low genetic diversity, shaped by adaptive constraints and human-mediated dispersal associated with the globe mango trade.

Conclusion: This study established a genome framework linking chemosensory perception, detoxification, and plant cell wall degradation to host-specific adaptation of S. mangiferae, reinforcing the critical role of quarantine in limiting its global invasion. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Keywords: Sternochetus mangiferae; high‐quality genome; host adaptation; invasion potential; quarantine pest.

Abstract

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