Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea Linn.) is included among the crops which contribute efficiently to cover West African populations’ nutritional needs. The groundnut seed infestation by Caryedon serratus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae), whose larva develop within the seed by consuming the reserves contained in the cotyledon, brings about great losses from 70 to 83% between 4 and 6 months of storage. The purpose of this study was to identify the different haplotypes circulating within the West Africa sub-region. On the other hand, this study aimed at characterizing the genetical diversity and phylogenetical affinities between allopatric populations of the same host plant for the C. serratus species. As a result of the PCR-sequencing of 28S nuclear gene, struggling strategies are advocated later by taking into account the bio and agroecological parameters of these four countries. The obtained results allow the distinguished seven haplotypes (H) to be divided into four haplotype’s groups (HG). The five individual haplotypes were composed of four haplotypes from Niger and one from Mali. It is the same Piliostigma reticulatumbiotype which is adapted to groundnut that infests the sub-regional crops. The geographical isolation did not prevail over the genetical structuring of the populations of the same C. serratus given the host plant.

Key words: Caryedon serratus, Arachis hypogaea, 28S nuclear gene, haplotype, haplo-group, ecotype, West Africa, PCR-sequencing.