Population genetics of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes in Uganda

Full text: Tsetse flies (Glossina ssp) transmit human and animal trypanosomoses, which exert considerable economic impact and constrain development in parts of Africa where the disease is endemic or epidemic. Laboratory and field research have demonstrated differences in behaviour, susceptibility to infection and vector capacity among tsetse sub-populations. The role of genetics in determining genetic variation and levels of population isolation in different disease foci has been demonstrated. Population genetic studies using methods that reveal genetic variation can generate data and information about genetic diversity and differentiation. Allozyme markers provide one method to study genetic variation in insects. However, studies on tsetse using this method have revealed little polymorphism in tsetse populations. An alternative approach is direct DNA-PCR based analysis. This involves the use of DNA markers such as Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), which provide a quick and relatively inexpensive method of generating comparative genetic data. Alternatively, microsatellite DNA markers are used to estimate genetic variation within and among tsetse populations. The present project will investigate the genetic diversity within and between Glossina fuscipes fuscipes sub-populations in Uganda. Tsetse (G. f. fuscipes) will be sampled in selected districts of Iganga, Kamuli, Tororo, Soroti, Wakiso, Lira and Moyo. The DNA from G. f. fuscipes will be isolated using the Chelex 100 procedure. The isolated DNA will be genotyped at several microsatellite loci followed by analyses of variability and differentiation. (author)