title: Population studies of Glossina pallidipes in Ethiopia: emphasis on cuticular hydrocarbons and wing morphometric analysis.
abstract: Tsetse flies, like many insects, use pheromones for inter- and intra-specific communication. Several of their pheromones are cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) that are perceived by contact at close range. We hypothesized that for a successful implementation of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), along with proper identification of target area and target species, the target tsetse populations and the sterile flies must chemically communicate with each other. To study the population structuring of Glossina pallidipes in Ethiopia, CHCs were extracted and analyzed from three tsetse belts. As a comparative approach, wing morphometric analysis was performed. The analysis of the relative abundance of CHCs revealed that populations of G. pallidipes from the Rift Valley tsetse belt showed a distinct clustering compared to populations from the other two belts. The spatial pattern of CHC differences was complemented by the wing morphometric analysis. Our data suggest that CHCs of known biological and ecological role, when combined with wing morphometric data, will provide an alternative means for the study of population structuring of Glossina populations. This could aid the planning of area wide control strategies using SIT, which is dependent on sexual competence.
authors.affiliation: Addis Ababa University, Department of Zoological Sciences, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department of Neuroethology, Jena, Germany. Electronic address: mgetahun@ice.mpg.de.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Getahun
authors.affiliation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa, CMC Road, P.O. Box 5536, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cecchi
authors.affiliation: Addis Ababa University, Department of Zoological Sciences, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seyoum
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058448:Biota; D005002:Ethiopia; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D034582:Integumentary System; D014370:Tsetse Flies / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development*; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons
keywords: Cuticular hydrocarbons; Ethiopia; GIS; Glossina pallidipes populations; SIT; Wing morphometrics