Genetic Diversity of ND5 mitochondrial patterns in Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations from Tunisia

The Mediterranean fruit fl y (medfl y) Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) is known to be one of the most destructive and economically important agricultural pests worldwide. Several previous research projects have investigated the genetic makeup of regional populations of this pest and the relationships of populations from different areas of the world, including countries from the Mediterranean region. However, previously, little information has been reported on populations from Tunisia, despite the fact that this pest occurs in several agriculturally sensitive areas of this country. In order to study the genetic diversity of medfl y populations within Tunisia, specimens were collected from the Coastal, Northern, Central and Southern regions of the country. Results using mitochondrial ND5 sequences show the presence of distinct haplotypes. This data used to analyze the levels of genetic variability within and between populations from Tunisia as well as from other countries in the Mediterranean region (Morocco and Israel) and in the world (Seychelles and Hawaii). This study also leads to a better understanding of the origin of new infestations and the colonization processes involving this pest. Resume. Diversite genetique des confi gurations mitochondrial ND5 chez les populations de Ceratitis capitata (Diptera : Tephritidae) de Tunisie. La mouche mediterraneenne des fruits Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera : Tephritidae) est l'un des ravageurs les plus importants en agriculture dans le monde. Plusieurs travaux de recherche ont etudie les caracteristiques genetiques de la ceratite ainsi que les relations entre populations de ce ravageur provenant de differentes regions du globe y compris les pays appartenant au bassin mediterraneen. Cependant, tres peu d'informations sont disponibles concernant les populations de ceratite en Tunisie, malgre l'importance economique de ce ravageur dans des zones cles de production fruitiere tunisiennes. Dans le but d'etudier la diversite genetique des populations de ceratite en Tunisie, des specimens ont ete collectes du Cap Bon, Nord, Centre et sud de la Tunisie. Les resultats bases sur l'etude des sequences du gene mitochondrial ND5 revelent la presence d'haplotypes distincts. Ces haplotypes ont permis d'analyser les niveaux de variabilite genetique entre les populations tunisiennes et les autres populations de ceratite du bassin mediterraneen (Maroc et Israel) ainsi que des populations prelevees dans d'autres regions du monde (Iles Seychelles et Hawai). Cette etude a permis egalement de mieux caracteriser l'origine de nouvelles infestations ainsi que les processus de colonisation de ce ravageur.