Morphometric variation of two genetic groups of Mediterranean fruit fly: Ceratitis Capitata (Wiedemann) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae), revealed by geometric morphometric analysis

Two Medfly strains were generated which were homozygous for each allele of the polymorphic locus, Suggesting the possible involvement of the scribble gene in Medfly’s host preference. To investigate that if this genetic differentiation could result in morphological variation or not, flies from two lines, were collected and 11 wing landmarks were selected for shape comparisons. By using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) on partial warps, significant variation showed between populations (F = 4.542, p = 0.000) and between the sexes (F=5.400, p=0.025). Anyway no significant difference was found on wing size (F=0.424, p=0.519).The results demonstrate that geometric morphometric technique indicated variation in wing shape between two genetic groups of flies but this genetic differentiation does not result in wing size variation. When explaining the data obtained in the present study, consider that a preference among hosts, might also reveal in morphological or behavioral traits. Further studies are required to determine the probable effect of this variation on flies performance that must be considered in the integrated control programs of medfly.

Keywords:

Medfly , MANOVA , scribble , geometric morphometric technique