Intraspecific variability in natural populations of Glossina palpalis gambiensis from West Africa, revealed by genetic and morphometric analyses

Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank (Diptera: Glossinidae) from West A frica (Senegal and Burkina Faso) were analysed for miciosatellite DNA polym orphisms and size of the wings. In the overall sample a strong heterozygote deficiency was found at two polymorphic microsatellite loci. It led to a h ighly significant value of Fis (within-sample heterozygote deficit) in the western zone of Sideradougou area in Burkina Faso. Genetic differentiation was significant on a macrogeographic scale, i.e. between tsetse coming from Senegal and Burkina Faso. Wing measures also differed between these two co untries; flies from Senegal appeared to be smaller. Microsatellite loci fur ther allowed differentiation of populations of G. palpalis gambiensis trapp ed on the same hydrographic network a few kilometres apart. The results are interpreted as indicating that further investigations will allow the study of genetic variability of tsetse flies in relation to the dynamics of tran smission of human and animal trypanosomoses.