Diversity and Genetic Differentiation of Senegalese Populations of Caryedon serratus (Olivier, 1790) Between 1998 and 2022

Groundnuts are an important food resource in Senegal, but post-harvest losses of this product are considerable and represent a major economic constraint for our country. Most often, these losses are due to beetles (pests) and among these, the one that causes the most damage to the stocks belongs to the Chrysomelidae family : Caryedon serratus (Olivier, 1790), commonly known as groundnut seed-beetle. Faced with these losses, it is becoming urgent to look for new methods of control. The objective of this research is therefore to study the diversity. The objective of this research is therefore to study the diversity and genetic differentiation of Senegalese populations of C. serratus associated with groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) and wild host plants (Piliostigma reticulatum, Tamarindus indica, Bauhinia rufescens et Cassia sieberiana) between 1998 and 2022. For this, the Cytochrome B (Cyt-B) gene of different strains of C. serratus was sequenced. The results obtained reflect a high level of genetic diversity of C. serratus populations. A statistically significant genetic differentiation is also noted, thus a clear difference in genetic structuring at the intra- and inter-population levels. The AMOVA inferences show that most of the genetic variation observed on Cyt-B sequences is significantly explained by intra-population genetic differentiation. Keywords: Caryedon serratus, groundnut, wild host plants, diversity, genetic differentiation, Senegal groundnut basin, Cytochrome B.