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Delivery of Nucleic Acids through Embryo Microinjection in the Worldwide Agricultural Pest Insect, Ceratitis capitata
Published on: October 1, 2016
Microsatellite analysis of medfly bioinfestations in California
M Bonizzoni1, L Zheng, C R Guglielmino
1Department of Animal Biology, University of Pavia, piazza Botta 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
Abstract:
The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, is a destructive agricultural pest with a long history of invasion success. This pest has been affecting different regions of the United States for the past 30 years, but a number of studies of medfly bioinfestations has focused on the situation in California. Although some progress has been made in terms of establishing the origin of infestations, the overall status of this pest in this area remains controversial. Specifically, do flies captured over the years represent independent infestations or the persistence of a resident population? We present an effort to answer this question based on the use of multilocus genotyping. Ten microsatellite loci were used to analyse 109 medflies captured in several infestations within California between 1992 and 1998. Using these same markers, 242 medflies from regions of the world having 'established' populations of this pest including Hawaii, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and Peru, were also analysed. Although phylogenetic analysis, amova analysis, the IMMANC assignment test and geneclass exclusion test analysis suggest that some of the medflies captured in California are derived from independent invasion events, analysis of specimens from the Los Angeles basin provides support for the hypothesis that an endemic population, probably derived from Guatemala, has been established.
Insights
Multilocus genotyping reveals the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) in California may stem from both new invasions and an established, endemic population, likely originating from Guatemala.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Entomology
- Population Genetics
- Invasive Species Biology
Background:
- The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) is a significant agricultural pest with a history of successful invasions.
- Its status in California, specifically whether infestations are new or from a persistent population, remains debated.
- Previous studies have primarily focused on California, leaving broader origins unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if Mediterranean fruit fly populations in California represent independent invasions or a persistent, established population.
- To investigate the potential origin of established Mediterranean fruit fly populations in California.
- To utilize genetic markers to differentiate between invasion events and endemic populations.
Main Methods:
- Multilocus genotyping using ten microsatellite loci.
- Analysis of 109 Mediterranean fruit flies captured in California (1992-1998).
- Comparative analysis with 242 flies from established populations worldwide (Hawaii, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Peru).
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic, AMOVA, and assignment/exclusion tests indicated some California flies originated from independent invasions.
- Analysis of specimens from the Los Angeles basin supported the hypothesis of an established, endemic population.
- Genetic data suggests a probable Guatemalan origin for the established Californian population.
Conclusions:
- The Mediterranean fruit fly population in California is likely a mix of ongoing independent invasions and a long-term established population.
- Genetic evidence points to Guatemala as a likely source for the established population in the Los Angeles basin.
- This research clarifies the complex population dynamics of this invasive agricultural pest in California.
