Use of molecular markers for detecting the geographical origin of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations

Abstract

Three different molecular techniques - gel electrophoresis of isozymes, restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) in mitochondrial DNA, and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-polymerase chain reaction) - have been used to infer the geographical origin of a laboratory population of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). We have analyzed 3 natural populations from different geographical regions of Spain (south, center, and east), and a laboratory population, the origin of which was to be checked by means of these molecular approaches. The results showed that the RAPD-PCR and mitochondrial DNA analysis yielded the correct origin of the laboratory population, whereas the isozyme analysis failed to determine the origin of this population. The results are discussed in relation to the possible bottlenecks and selective effects that could had taken place. These effects may have influenced genetic variability and the suitability of those markers for detecting the geographical origin of populations.