Dynamics of genetic variability in Anastrepha fraterculus(Diptera: Tephritidae) during adaptation to laboratory rearing conditions

Abstract

BackgroundAnastrepha fraterculus is one of the most important fruit fly plagues in the American continent and only chemical control is applied in the field to diminish its population densities. A better understanding of the genetic variability during the introduction and adaptation of wild A. fraterculus populations to laboratory conditions is required for the development of stable and vigorous experimental colonies and mass-reared strains in support of successful Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) efforts.MethodsThe present study aims to analyze the dynamics of changes in genetic variability during the first six generations under artificial rearing conditions in two populations: a) a wild population recently introduced to laboratory culture, named TW and, b) a long-established control line, named CL.ResultsResults showed a declining tendency of genetic variability in TW. In CL, the relatively high values of genetic variability appear to be maintained across generations and could denote an intrinsic capacity to avoid the loss of genetic diversity in time.DiscussionThe impact of evolutionary forces on this species during the adaptation process as well as the best approach to choose strategies to introduce experimental and mass-reared A. fraterculus strains for SIT programs are discussed.

Cytogenetic and symbiont analysis of five members of the B. dorsalis complex (Diptera, Tephritidae): no evidence of chromosomal or symbiont-based speciation events

“…On the other hand, results obtained from laboratory colonies must be verified in larger samples of different origin before elevating to species level. As it has been shown by different studies (Gilchrist et al 2012; Parreño et al 2014, Zygouridis et al 2014), lab colonization is accompanied by an adaptation process including severe bottlenecks, hitch-hiking effects and extended inbreeding. This can affect the genetic structure of the populations and, possibly, their symbiotic communities.…”

Whole genome comparisons reveal panmixia among fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) from diverse locations

“…In testing for Wolbachia infection, we extracted genomic DNA from a limited number of available abdominal samples and performed sequencing of PCR amplicons using Wolbachia-specific primers (Fig. S3) Previous reports comparing genetic diversity in laboratory-reared insects to wild populations mostly reported loss of allele number and heterozygosity during adaptation to mass rearing [53,54], although in some examples high genetic variability remained [55], even in longestablished lines [56]. We compared diversity in two long-established (>20 years) S. frugiperda laboratory lines.…”

Evolutionary biology and genetic techniques for insect control

“…Diet can also deleteriously impact on gut microbial diversity if antibiotics are added (Behar et al 2008a,b;Ben Ami et al 2010), for example, to diets in laboratory or factory settings to suppress dominant lethality (e.g., Thomas et al 2000) Use of more complex natural and varied diets or diet supplements (e.g., Kaspi and Yuval 2000). Use of probiotics to restore gut microbial diversity (e.g., Niyazi et al 2004;Gavriel et al, 2011) Inbreeding Genetic bottlenecks that occur upon adaptation of the pest species to the mass-rearing conditions may reduce genetic diversity (e.g., Cayol 2000; Ciosi et al 2014;Parreno et al 2014) Can be countered by periodic introduction of 'fresh blood' into mass-rearing strains and therefore releasing individuals with greater genetic diversity (e.g., Cayol 2000; Gilchrist and Meats 2012)…”