Morphometric divergence in populations of Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera, Tephritidae) from Colombia and some Neotropical locations

Abstract

The West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua, is one of seven species of quarantine importance of its genus and is one of the most economically important fruit fly pests in Colombia. The taxonomic status of this species is a key issue for further implementation of any pest management program. Several molecular studies have shown enough variability within Anastrepha obliqua to suggest its taxonomic status could be revised; however, there are no morphological studies supporting this hypothesis. The aim of this work was to describe the morphological variability of Colombian populations of Anastrepha obliqua, comparing this variability with that of other samples from the Neotropics. Measurements were performed on individuals from 11 populations collected from different geographic Colombian localities and were compared with populations from Mexico (2), Dominica Island (1), Peru (1) and Brazil (2). Linear morphometric analyses were performed using 23 female morphological traits, including seven variables of the aculeus, three of the thorax, and six of the wing; seven ratios among them were also considered. Discriminant function analyses showed significant morphological differentiation among the Colombian populations, separating them into two groups. Furthermore, in the comparisons between Colombian samples with those from other countries, three clusters were observed. The possibility of finding more than one species within the nominal Anastrepha obliqua population is discussed.

Reproductive compatibility among Mexican populations of Anastrepha obliqua: theoretical and management implications

“…In order to establish or dispel the existence of an A. obliqua cryptic species complex, examining reproductive isolation among South American populations, in particular from Peru, could yield conclusive results. Peruvian A. obliqua appears to be consistently different from samples of other North, Central and South American regions both at the morphological (Castañeda, Selivon, Hernández‐Ortiz, Soto, & Canal, ) and the molecular levels (Ruiz‐Arce et al., ; Scally et al., ). An analysis of reproductive compatibility of the Peruvian type against the Western Mexican and/or Eastern Brazilian types should greatly contribute to clarify the integrity of A. obliqua as a widespread Neotropical species or as a complex potentially composed of two or three cryptic species.…”

Geometric morphometrics of wing venation to differentiates new species of Scaura Schwarz populations (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)

“…The technique of geometric morphometrics applied to forewings venation indicate two distinct populations belonging two Neotropical biomes. Aytekin et al (2007) [33] studying the genus Bombus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), [34] considering the genus Eubazus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Francisco et al (2008) [35] in analysis of two populations of Plebeia remota (Holmberg) and Castañeda et al (2015) [36] with populations of the Anastrepha oblique (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae), distinguish cryptic populations with the same technique.…”

Quality control and characterization of the testicles and ovaries of irradiated Anastrepha obliqua from Brazil

“…Because of the existing variabilities between populations of A. obliqua and the presumed existence of a group of cryptic species (Ruíz-Arce et al, 2012;Smith-Caldas et al, 2001), the study of Brazilian populations is extremely relevant to pest management. Castañeda et al (2015) showed significant morphological differentiation between South American populations of A. obliqua, including comparisons between Brazilian populations, demonstrating the importance of studies with different strains of A. obliqua in different regions. To date, there are no studies of radiosterilization of A. obliqua Brazilian strains.…”