Molecular genetic structure of fruit fly (Bactrocera sp) population of South Andaman revealed through RAPD-PCR analysis

Abstract

Fruit flies belonging to the family Dacinae, are biologically interesting and economically very important group of Diptera, as are known to infest a wide range of plant species especially fruits and vegetable crops. The present work was aimed for molecular profiling of fruit fly (Bactrocera sp) which is abundantly found in South Andaman. Though number of Bactrocera species has been reported to exist in these islands, Bactrocera cucurbitae is the most serious pest of cucurbit plants. Bactrocera sp is widely spread all over the world causing 85 -100 % damage to vegetable and fruits. Taxonomical diagnosis based on morphological characters could not discriminate them and all were found to be similar morphologically. During the course of this investigation, efforts were made to assess genetic similarities among these collections by using RAPD-PCR involving nine primers. The dendrogram of all primers depicted two major clusters which were having 60% similarity within as well as species. This shows a bright possibility of the use of RAPD-PCR in molecular profiling and identification of Bactrocera species of Andaman Islands.

Keywords

• Bactrocera
• Taxonomical diagnosis
• RAPD- PCR