Allozyme variation and an estimate of the inbreeding coefficient in the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Abstract

Seven presumed Mendelian enzyme loci (Est-2, Est-3, Gpi, Idh-l, Idh-2, Mdh-2 and Mpi) were characterized and tested for polymorphism in coffee berry borers, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari), sampled in Côte d′Ivoire, Mexico and New Caledonia. The average genetic diversity was H = 0.080. Two loci, Mdh-2 and Mpi were polymorphic, and thus usable as genetic markers. The population structure of H. hampei was analysed using Weir & Cockerham's estimators of Wright's F-statistics. A high degree of inbreeding (f = 0.298) characterized the elementary geographic sampling unit, the coffee field. The estimate of gene flow between fields within a country was Nm = 10.6 and that between countries was Nm = 2. The population genetic structure in H. hampei could be related to its known population biological features and history.