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Morphological and molecular identification of African fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae)

Description of project:
Tephritidae is one of the largest dipteran families comprising >4000 species of which 350 of economic importance (EI), mainly as pests of cultivated fruits. In Africa, most pest species belong to the genera Ceratitis, Dacus, and Bactrocera. TBI (Tephritid Barcoding Initiative) is an international project initiated by CBOL, that aims at barcoding all EI taxa and their congeners. The JEMU (Joint Experimental Molecular Unit), a joint unit of two BE-TAF members, focuses on barcoding initiatives for a wide variety of organisms. The Royal Museum for Central Africa has one of the most important collections of African fruit flies and has extensive expertise in the morphological taxonomy and systematics of the major pest genera.
Duration of training: 
2 weeks
Training period: 
Training only given in 2009 Dates to be discussed with mentor
Target Audience: 
Candidates should have profound knowledge of work in a molecular laboratory, in particular with regard to extraction procedures, PCR and sequencing. The molecular aspect of the training is not intended as general training in barcoding but focuses on the specific techniques and protocols with regard to fruit flies.
Practical experiences: 
- Techniques (preparations, collection techniques) - Molecular techniques: particular protocols for DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing with particular reference to fruit flies specimen database development - Identification of Afrotropical Tephritidae - Host plant data - Literature search
Lectures: 
- Systematics of the African Tephritidae - Zoogeography of the Afrotropical Realm - Phylogeny and host plant relationships within African Tephritidae
Notes: 
Research project: within framework of JEMU and TBI
Name of mentor / supervisor: 
Dr. Marc De Meyer
Institution/Organisation: 
Royal Museum for Central Africa
EDIT partner number: 
14
Unit/Department/Laboratory: 
Entomology Section
Address: 
Leuvensesteenweg 13, B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium