title: Geographical distribution and frequencies of organophosphate-resistant Ace alleles and morphometric variations in olive fruit fly populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the Mediterranean basin, organophosphate (OP) insecticides have been used intensively to control olive fly populations. Acetylcholinesterase (Ace) is the molecular target of OP insecticides, and three resistance-associated mutations that confer different levels of OP insensitivity have been identified. In this study, genotypes of olive fly Ace were determined in field-collected populations from broad geographical areas in Turkey. In addition, the levels of asymmetry of wing and leg characters were compared in these populations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our study revealed the existence of a genetically smooth stratification pattern in OP resistance allele distribution in the olive fly populations of Turkey. In contrast to earlier findings, the frequency of Δ3Q was found to be lower in the Aegean region, where the populations have been subjected to high selection pressure. Results based on the morphological differences among the samples revealed a similar pattern for both sides and did not demonstrate a clear separation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequencies and geographic range of resistance alleles indicate that they were selected in the Aegean coast of Turkey and then spread westward towards Europe. One possible explanation for the absence of morphological asymmetry in olive fly samples might be the presence of modifier allele(s) that compensate for the increase in asymmetry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Muğla Sıtkı Kocman University, Kotekli, Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ersin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Doğaç
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: İrfan
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Kandemir
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Muğla Sıtkı Kocman University, Kotekli, Muğla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Vatan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Taşkın
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000235:genetics; D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D005121:Extremities / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005843:Geography; D007305:Insecticide Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009154:Mutation; D031658:Olea; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D013141:Spiro Compounds; D033621:Tephritidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D014421:Turkey; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D013141:Spiro Compounds; C541173:symbiospirol B; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase
keywords: acetylcholinesterase; insecticide resistance; morphometry; olive fly; polymorphism