Unraveling genetic diversity and population structure of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) in Kenya and Uganda

TY - ABST

T1 - Unraveling genetic diversity and population structure of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) in Kenya and Uganda

AU - Muchina, Peter

AU - Kinyua, Johnson

AU - Khamis, Fathiya

AU - MBI Tanga, Chrysantus

AU - Cai, Zexi

AU - Gebreyesus, Grum

AU - Sahana, Goutam

PY - 2024/2

Y1 - 2024/2

N2 - Livestock and fish production in Africa face challenges due to rising feed costs, especiallyprotein ingredients like fishmeal and soybean meal. Hermetia illucens L., the Black Soldier Fly(BSF), is an emerging alternative to conventional protein additives in feeds. These insects alsocontribute to the circular economy via the bioconversion of organic waste into valuable proteinbiomass and frass fertilizer. Despite the potential benefits, the limited knowledge of the geneticdiversity of the wild and mass reared BSF populations in Africa raises concerns about theirlong-term sustainability. To address this gap, our study investigates the genetic diversity andpopulation structure of BSF populations in Kenya and Uganda. Samples were collected fromthree agroecological zones in each country, targeting wild and captive BSF populations (n=30per site). In Kenya, samples were collected from the central, western, and coastal regions,while in Uganda, samples were collected from the central, western, eastern, and northernregions. Additionally, 30 individuals were collected from various commercial partner farmsin the two countries. 300 samples were available for DNA extraction and subsequent wholegenome sequencing (WGS) and analysis. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variantscalled from the WGS data will be used to investigate the genetic diversity and determine thepopulation structure and evolutionary relationships between and within the BSF populations.The nucleotide diversity (π), Tajima's D, the genetic differentiation (FST), the observedheterozygosity (HO), expected heterozygosity (HE), and the inbreeding coefficient (FIS) will beused to investigate the genetic diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) and admixtureanalysis will infer the population structure, while the neighbor Joining (NJ) tree will infer theevolutionary relationships. This study will reveal the genetic basis of ongoing domesticationand the genomic disparity between the captive and wild individuals. The findings will guidecolony management, selective breeding programs, and genetic improvement, ensuring thecontinued growth and sustainability of BSF farming in Kenya and Uganda. This researchcontributes to a more sustainable agricultural future in Africa.

AB - Livestock and fish production in Africa face challenges due to rising feed costs, especiallyprotein ingredients like fishmeal and soybean meal. Hermetia illucens L., the Black Soldier Fly(BSF), is an emerging alternative to conventional protein additives in feeds. These insects alsocontribute to the circular economy via the bioconversion of organic waste into valuable proteinbiomass and frass fertilizer. Despite the potential benefits, the limited knowledge of the geneticdiversity of the wild and mass reared BSF populations in Africa raises concerns about theirlong-term sustainability. To address this gap, our study investigates the genetic diversity andpopulation structure of BSF populations in Kenya and Uganda. Samples were collected fromthree agroecological zones in each country, targeting wild and captive BSF populations (n=30per site). In Kenya, samples were collected from the central, western, and coastal regions,while in Uganda, samples were collected from the central, western, eastern, and northernregions. Additionally, 30 individuals were collected from various commercial partner farmsin the two countries. 300 samples were available for DNA extraction and subsequent wholegenome sequencing (WGS) and analysis. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variantscalled from the WGS data will be used to investigate the genetic diversity and determine thepopulation structure and evolutionary relationships between and within the BSF populations.The nucleotide diversity (π), Tajima's D, the genetic differentiation (FST), the observedheterozygosity (HO), expected heterozygosity (HE), and the inbreeding coefficient (FIS) will beused to investigate the genetic diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) and admixtureanalysis will infer the population structure, while the neighbor Joining (NJ) tree will infer theevolutionary relationships. This study will reveal the genetic basis of ongoing domesticationand the genomic disparity between the captive and wild individuals. The findings will guidecolony management, selective breeding programs, and genetic improvement, ensuring thecontinued growth and sustainability of BSF farming in Kenya and Uganda. This researchcontributes to a more sustainable agricultural future in Africa.

M3 - Conference abstract for conference

SP - 11

T2 - Insects for the Green Economy: Sustainable Food<br/>Systems and Livelihoods in Africa

Y2 - 28 February 2024 through 29 February 2024

ER -