Molecular evolution and phylogenetic signal of genes associated with taxonomic characters in fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE)

• Grant number: 25/12633-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Reinaldo Otávio Alvarenga Alves de Brito
• Grantee: Rafael Roefero Marques da Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12583-0 - Comparative genomics and phylogenomics of fruit fly species of the fraterculus group. III. The undiscovered country, AP.R

Abstract

The genus Anastrepha is part of the Tephritidae family and encompasses approximately 330 species already described, distributed in approximately 33 groups. This genus contains a variety of pests that affect fruit crops in Brazil, given the variety of hosts they parasitize. Its taxonomy is challenging due to the similarity between species, many of which are cryptic and difficult to distinguish by the morphological characters used in the taxonomy of this group (especially their wing pattern and ovipositor morphology). This limitation derives from the great specific phenotypic variety contained in them, a consequence of their wide distribution and rapid diversification, but also from the plasticity caused by distinct genetic and epigenetic responses depending on the fruit of origin of the specimen. Understanding the molecular basis underlying such variety allows a better understanding of the specific morphological limits and contributes to the understanding of the influence of ecological and phylogenetic factors involved in their diversification. To this end, it is important to use modern strategies and markers that provide new sources of information with greater potential to aid in phylogenetic resolution, particularly those involved in recently diverged groups. Therefore, this work proposes to investigate patterns of molecular evolution and the phylogenetic informativeness of genes potentially involved in the production of phylogenetically informative characters in Anastrepha. Since the understanding of the genetic basis of complex characters is limited, we will search for genes associated with development that are potentially relevant for the characterization of Anastrepha taxa. Patterns of selection, genetic variance and their relationship with genomic regions with different levels of introgression will be analyzed. The final objective will be to identify parts of the genome affecting phenotypic variability and patterns of molecular evolution of such regions.