Estrutura genética de populações de Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970 (Diptera: Drosophilidae) em ambientes agrícolas e urbanos

Abstract

Zaprionus indianus is an invasive species of African origin, widely distributed throughout Brazil and recognized for its high adaptive capacity to different environments. Intensive insecticide use in agricultural systems may act as a selective force, promoting changes in allele frequencies within natural populations. In this context, the present study aimed to compare the allelic frequencies of the Est3 locus in Z. indianus populations collected from soybean fields and urban environments, evaluating potential differences in their genetic structure. Individuals were sampled from agricultural and urban areas in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, and analyzed through polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) to characterize esterase polymorphisms, followed by population genetic analyses. Four alleles were identified at the Est3 locus, showing differences in frequency between the environments studied, with the Est3³ allele occurring at a higher frequency in the agricultural population. Genetic diversity indices, principal component analysis, and AMOVA revealed low overall genetic differentiation among populations. However, differences in allelic frequencies were observed and may be consistent with the influence of local selective pressures. These findings suggest that the genetic structure of Z. indianus populations is shaped by the interaction between gene flow and local environmental factors, partially supporting the hypothesis that distinct environmental contexts can influence allele distribution at the Est3 locus.