Structural map of the polytene chromosomes from the salivary glands of South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus Wied (Diptera, Tephritidae)

This work presents a preliminary map showing the polytenized autosomic chromosomes from the salivary glands of South American fruit flies Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied) (Diptera, Tephritidae) sampled in Argentina, where it is a serious pest of commercial fruits. We base their identification on constant morphological structures (landmarks) and features of each autosome. The chromosome number is 2n= 10+XX/XY, but due to the intimate pairing between the two homologues, the number of observed elements is reduced to half of the autosome number, in polytenized tissues. Besides widening the cytological knowledge of the species, this map will allow the identification of chromosome rearrangements and would help to elucidate the taxonomic identity of A. fraterculus from other geographic origins.