Geographic dimorphism of the wild silkworm, Bombyx mandarina, in the chromosome number and the occurrence of a retroposon-like insertion in the arylphorin gene.

Individuals of the wild silkworm, Bombyx mandarina, collected in South Korea (Taegu City) and Japan (Tsushima Islands and Fukuoka City) had the chromosome number of 2n = 54, while those collected in China (Hangzhou City) had the chromosome number of 2n = 56. Analysis by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) showed that the 66-bp-long retroposon-like insertion known in the arylphorin gene was present in the B. mandarina specimens with 2n = 54, but not in those with 2n = 56. Thus, dimorphism in the chromosome number coincided with the occurrence of the insertion. It is likely that the boundary dividing the two geographic B. mandarina populations lies somewhere in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.