X-chromosome mapping experiments suggest occurrence of cryptic species in the tsetse fly Glossina palpalis palpalis

Abstract

Using flies from colonies of Glossina palpalis palpalis (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) (Diptera: Glossinidae) that originated in Nigeria and Bas-Zaire, the two microsatellite loci Gpg19.62 and Gpg55.3 have been added to the X-chromosome map, thus increasing to seven the number of loci mapped on that chromosome. During the mapping and other crossing experiments, sterile F1 and backcross males were found. Similarities between the patterns of sterility found in the present study and those occurring during hybridization of some subspecies of tsetse suggest that the nominal taxon G. p. palpalis may contain cryptic taxa. Differences in the width of the postgonite head of males from the two colonies were consistent with this suggestion.