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Molecular Markers for Analyses of Genetic Diversity within the Anastrepha fraterculus Complex with Emphasis on Argentine Populations

Authors :
Ludvik M. Gomulski
María Teresa Vera
Silvia B. Lanzavecchia
Riccardo Piccinno
Giulia Fiorenza
Daniel De Luca
Beatriz N. Carrizo
Juan Pedro R. Bouvet
Valeria A. Viana
Carlos Cárceres
Walther Enkerlin
Anna R. Malacrida
Giuliano Gasperi
Source :
Insects, Vol 15, Iss 10, p 748 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

The South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedmann) has a vast range extending from northern Mexico, through Central America, to South America where it is an extremely polyphagous pest of wild and cultivated fruits. It is a complex of cryptic species currently composed of eight recognised morphotypes: “Mexican”, “Venezuelan”, “Andean”, “Peruvian”, “Ecuadorian”, and the three Brazilian morphotypes “Brazilian-1”, “Brazilian-2”, and “Brazilian-3”. Molecular markers that can identify the member species of the complex are crucial for the implementation of effective pest control measures, such as the sterile insect technique. The object of this study was to evaluate the use of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequence for discriminating several members of the A. fraterculus cryptic species complex (Mexican, Peruvian, and Brazilian-1) and a related species, Anastrepha schultzi Blanchard. The analysis highlighted significant genetic differentiation between the evaluated morphotypes, allowed their discrimination within the A. fraterculus cryptic species complex, and provided new insights into their genetic relationships. The ITS2 marker provides a basis for the development of taxonomic keys for the discrimination of the cryptic taxa within the A. fraterculus cryptic species complex. ITS2 also represents an important marker for the poorly studied species A. schultzi.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20754450
Volume :
15
Issue :
10
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Insects
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.94dc71e5cbe943c2bf6ba7be64168d1c
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15100748