Allozyme variation in a natural population of the horse fly Haematopota italica Meigen (Diptera, Tabanidae)

Abstract

The species has traditionally been studied morphologically, but no genetic studies have been carried out so far. A sample of 24 individuals of a natural population of Haematopota italica was analysed for six allozymic loci (Aph-1, Aph-2, Est-1, Est-2, Pgm, Sod). Four out of six loci were polymorphic (Aph-2, Est-2, Pgm, Sod). The estimates of genetic variation (heterozygosity, polymorphism and mean number of alleles per locus) were among the highest values described for hematophagous insect species. The loci Est-2 and Sod presented an excess of heterozygotes, possibly due to selection or to its association with chromosome inversions.