Genetic Diversity of ND5 mitochondrial patterns inCeratitis capitata(Diptera: Tephritidae) populations from Tunisia

Abstract

Abstract. The Mediterranean fruit fl y (medfl y) Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) is known to be one of the most destructive and economically important agricultural pests worldwide. Several previous research projects have investigated the genetic makeup of regional populations of this pest and the relationships of populations from different areas of the world, including countries from the Mediterranean region. However, previously, little information has been reported on populations from Tunisia, despite the fact that this pest occurs in several agriculturally sensitive areas of this country. In order to study the genetic diversity of medfl y populations within Tunisia, specimens were collected from the Coastal, Northern, Central and Southern regions of the country. Results using mitochondrial ND5 sequences show the presence of distinct haplotypes. This data used to analyze the levels of genetic variability within and between populations from Tunisia as well as from other countries in the Mediterranean region (Morocco and Israel) and in the world (Seychelles and Hawaii). This study also leads to a better understanding of the origin of new infestations and the colonization processes involving this pest. Résumé. Diversité génétique des confi gurations mitochondrial ND5 chez les populations deCeratitis capitata (Diptera : Tephritidae) de Tunisie. La mouche méditerranéenne des fruits Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera : Tephritidae) est l'un des ravageurs les plus importants en agriculture dans le monde. Plusieurs travaux de recherche ont étudié les caractéristiques génétiques de la cératite ainsi que les relations entre populations de ce ravageur provenant de différentes régions du globe y compris les pays appartenant au bassin méditerranéen. Cependant, très peu d'informations sont disponibles concernant les populations de cératite en Tunisie, malgré l'importance économique de ce ravageur dans des zones clés de production fruitière tunisiennes. Dans le but d'étudier la diversité génétique des populations de cératite en Tunisie, des spécimens ont été collectés du Cap Bon, Nord, Centre et sud de la Tunisie. Les résultats basés sur l'étude des séquences du gène mitochondrial ND5 révèlent la présence d'haplotypes distincts. Ces haplotypes ont permis d'analyser les niveaux de variabilité génétique entre les populations tunisiennes et les autres populations de cératite du bassin méditerranéen (Maroc et Israël) ainsi que des populations prélevées dans d'autres régions du monde (Iles Seychelles et Hawaï). Cette étude a permis également de mieux caractériser l'origine de nouvelles infestations ainsi que les processus de colonisation de ce ravageur.

Unveiling biogeographical patterns in the worldwide distributed Ceratitis capitata (medfly) using population genomics and microbiome composition

“…We find strong evidence for the existence of two genetic clusters corresponding to the South African individuals and the other localities in the introduced range respectively, in agreement with virtually all previous studies using allozymes (Gasperi et al, 1991(Gasperi et al, , 2002Kourti, 2004;Malacrida et al, 1992), mitochondrial DNA markers (Arias et al, 2018;Elfekih et al, 2010Elfekih et al, , 2013Karsten et al, 2013;Ruiz-Arce et al, 2020), and microsatellites (Bonizzoni et al, 2004;Bonizzoni et al, 2001;Deschepper et al, 2021;Karsten et al, 2015;Nikolouli et al, 2020). In addition, when we analysed the five sampling sites from the introduced range only (i.e., we removed the South African samples), populations from Brazil represented a unique genetic cluster that had not been recognized in previous studies.…”

A rapid diagnostic technique of Bactrocera cucurbitae and Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae) for quarantine application

“…In Tunisia, fruits are mainly infested by the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Weidemann). Except for the olive fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), no Tephritid fruit flies of the Bactrocera genus have been reported . To maintain this status, imported crops are carefully scrutinised at quarantine checkpoints in order to detect any economically harmful insects.…”

“…Except for the olive fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), no Tephritid fruit flies of the Bactrocera genus have been reported. 5,6 To maintain this status, imported crops are carefully scrutinised at quarantine checkpoints in order to detect any economically harmful insects. Nevertheless, intercepted specimens are often at larval stages, when few diagnostic morphological features are available, making it difficult to identify exotic pests correctly, which would consequently delay quarantine decisions.…”