Although a large amount of data have been published in past years on the taxonomic status of the Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) species complex, there is still a need to know how many species this complex comprises, the distribution of each one, and their distinguishing features. In this study, we assessed the morphometric variability of 32 populations from the A. fraterculus complex, located in major biogeographical areas from the Neotropics. Multivariate techniques for analysis were applied to the measurements of 21 variables referring to the mesonotum, aculeus, and wing. For the first time, our results identified the presence of seven distinct morphotypes within this species complex. According to the biogeographical areas, populations occurring in the Mesoamerican dominion (Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama) were clustered within a single natural entity labeled as the “Mexican” morphotype; whereas in the northwestern South American dominion, samples fell into three distinct groups: the “Venezuelan” morphotype with a single population from the Caribbean lowlands of Venezuela, the “Andean” morphotype from the highlands of Venezuela and Colombia, and the third group or “Peruvian” morphotype comprised the samples from the Pacific coastal lowlands of Ecuador and Peru. Three additional groups were identified from the Chacoan and Paranaense sub-regions: the morphotype “Brazilian-1” was recognized as including the Argentinean samples with most pertaining to Brazil, and widely distributed in these biogeographical areas; the morphotype “Brazilian-2” was recognized as including two samples from the state of Sao Paulo (Ilha-Bela and São Sebastião); whereas the morphotype “Brazilian-3” included a single population from Botucatu (state of Sao Paulo). Based on data published by previous authors showing genetic and karyotypic differentiation, as well as reproductive isolation, we have concluded that such morphotypes indeed represent natural groups and distinct taxonomic entities.

Discriminant function and cluster analyses were performed on 19 morphometric variables of the aculeus, wing and mesonotum to determine whether populations of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) from different parts of Mexico could be distinguished from populations from South America. Samples were collected from seven localities across Mexico, two from Brazil, and one each from Colombia and Argentina. Results showed there were statistically significant differences between Mexican and South American populations with respect to the aculeus (tip length, length of serrated section, mean number of teeth) and wing (width of S-band and connection between S- and V-bands). The degree of morphological variation observed among Mexican populations was extremely low, and as a consequence, the Mexican populations were identified as a single morphotype by discriminant analysis. The 'Andean morphotype'consisting of the Colombian population, and the 'Brazilian morphotype'consisting of the two Brazilian populations plus the single Argentinian population were also distinguished. It was concluded that the macro-geographical morphotypes from Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil plus Argentina correspond to three distinct taxonomic entities. Comparisons of results with those obtained from behavioural, karyotypic, isozyme and DNA studies suggest that sufficient evidence now exists to name a new Mexican species from within the A. fraterculus complex. This will be done in a separate publication. A provisional key to the morphotypes of A. fraterculus studied is provided.

Previous morphometric studies based on linear measurements of female structures of the aculeus, mesonotum, and wing revealed the existence of seven morphotypes within the Anastrepha fraterculus cryptic species complex along the Neotropical Region. The current research followed linear and geometric morphometric approaches in 40 population samples of the nominal species Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) spread throughout the Meso-American and Pacific Neotropical dominions (including Mexico, Central America, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru). The goals were to explore the phenotypic relationships of the morphotypes in these biogeographical areas; evaluate the reliability of procedures used for delimitation of morphotypes; and describe their current distribution. Findings determined that morphotypes previously recognized via the linear morphometrics were also supported by geometric morphometrics of the wing shape. In addition, we found an eighth morphotype inhabiting the highlands of Ecuador and Peru. Morphotypes are related into three natural phenotypic groups nominated as Mesoamerican-Caribbean lineage, Andean lineage, and Brazilian lineage. The hypothesis that lineages are not directly related to each other is discussed, supported by their large morphological divergence and endemicity in these three well-defined biogeographic areas. In addition, this hypothesis of the non-monophyly of the Anastrepha fraterculus complex is also supported by evidence from other authors based on molecular studies and the strong reproductive isolation between morphs from different lineages.

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plant samples. We also thank Imelda Martlnez and Maydell Rosado for the french translation of the second abstract. This paper is a contribution to project "Diagn6stico y Conservaci6n de la Biodiversidad en M6xico", partially supported by the CONACYT -Mexico (Ref. 0239-N9107). RI~SUMI~. Parasito'ides indig~nes associ6s au genre Anastrepha (Dipt. : Tephritidae) ~ Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexique Le complexe parasitaire du genre Anastrepha a 6t6 6tudi6 dans une localit6 du Mexique, ~ Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz. Sur dix esp~ces diff6rentes de fruits, nous avons obtenu un total de 1 600 nymphes partir de 10 esp~ces d'Anastrepha. Ces nymphes ont donn6 218 parasito'l'des appartenant aux esp~ces suivantes : Doryctobracon areolatus (Sz6pligeti), Utetes (Bracanastrepha) aft. anastrephae (Viereck), Doryctobracon crawfordi (Viereck), Opius hirtus (Fischer), Microcrasis n. sp., Nealiolus n. sp. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) ; Odontosema n. sp. et Lopheucoila sp. (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae). L'esp~ce la plus fr6quente et la plus abondante 6tait D. areolatus, repr6sentant 59,2 % de tousles parasites obtenus. L'analyse des diff6rents taux d'infestation des fruits et des degr6s de parasitisme chez ces esp~ces du genre Anastrepha sugg~re qu'il n'existe pas de corr61ation entre ces 2 donn6es.Cependant, quelques caract6ristiques de la plante h6te telle que la taille des fruits, pourraient jouer un r61e important dans le taux de parasitisme.