Genetic variation in wild Kenya population of the Mediterranean fly, Ceratitis Capitata Wied

Abstract

Over the period November 1987, June 1998, a survey of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medifly), Ceratitis capitata occurrence was conducted. Samples of ripe coffee were collected from 8 districts. In 7 districts, the fly was found present and sympatric with C. rosa and C. nigra. The electtrophoretic variation of 6 enzymes, B-Hyclroxyacid dehydrogenase (B-HAD), Aldehyde oxidase (AO), Malate dehydrogenase (MDH), a-GLycerophosphate dehydrogenase (a-GPDH), Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)and Glutamllte oxaloacetate transamjnase (GOT) were studied in Kenyan strains of the medfly. The medflies Here obtained from ripe coffee berries. The berries were kept in paper cartons Li.ned with sawdust in the insectary and regularly inspected for presence of pupae for 2 weeks. Adults emerged in cages within the next 14 days, upon which they were used for gel electrophoresis. The MDH locus was monomorphic, while only two alleles per locus were detected at AO, ADH, a-GPDH and GOT loci. Five different alleles were identified at B –HAD locus. Mean heterozygosities for the two adequately sampled areas, Machakos and Kabete were 0.118 and O.117 respectively. The allele frequencies were in agreement ………………