Photomaps of the Malpighian tubule and the salivary gland polytene chromosomes of Bactrocera oleae (Dacus oleae) are presented and compared with those of the fat body. Five polytene chromosomes (10 polytene arms) corresponding to the five autosomes of the mitotic nuclei, as well as a heterochromatic mass corresponding to the sex chromosomes, are observed in the nuclei of the three somatic tissues. The most prominent features of each polytene chromosome, the reverse tandem duplications, as well as the rather unusual ectopic pairing of the telomeric regions of different chromosome arms, are described. The constancy of the banding pattern based on the analysis of the three larval tissues is discussed.

Nine specific DNA probes (genomic or cDNA) from Ceratitis capitata have been mapped by in situ hybridization to the salivary gland polytene chromosomes of the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae, a major agricultural pest, thus establishing molecular markers for the 5 autosomal chromosomes. Taking into account the present results, as well as previous data obtained mainly by in situ hybridizations, chromosomal homologies among B. oleae, C. capitata and B. tryoni are established. Data show extensive linkage group conservation among the 3 taxa of the economically important and globally distributed family, the Tephritidae.Key words: Bactrocera oleae, Tephritidae, salivary gland, polytene chromosomes, in situ hybridization, mapping.

Aiming to establish phylogenetic relationships among species of the montium subgroup, detailed polytene chromosome maps are given showing intraspecific polymorphism and ecdysone induced larval puffing pattern profiles of two Afrotropical members of this subgroup, Drosophila diplacantha and D. seguyi. Both species exhibit two unique characteristics that define the montium subgroup, namely, a large number of reverse tandem duplications and a progressive darkening of anterior spiracles of the late third instar larvae, which is accompanied by a definite temporal and spatial puffing pattern of the salivary gland chromosomes. In contrast with the well-formed Balbiani ring 1 (BR1) observed in Oriental and Indian montium species, BR1 exhibits a different developmental profile in D. diplacantha, while it is obscured in D. seguyi. Although phyletic comparisons of five species from five different complexes within the subgroup show some conservation in banding and puffing pattern homologies, an analysis to assign map sections by sequential rearrangements remains unresolved at this time. The evolution of the subgroup is discussed in relation with the sharing of reverse tandem duplications, especially those including the montium BRs.

A simple technique is described for obtaining well-spread and readable Malpighian tubule polytene nuclei of Culex pipiens on a routine basis. Detailed polytene chromosome maps are presented with a description of the most prominent landmarks of each chromosome, the regions with asynapsis and the most frequent weak points identified in the polytene arms. Usable Malpighian tubule polytene chromosomes should facilitate molecular cytogenetic, genetic, and potentially biosystematic studies on this medically important global vector of viral inducing encephalitis.Key words: Culex pipiens, polytene chromosomes, Malpighian tubules, banding pattern, photomap.

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