Considerations on the Species Complex of the Cortelezzii series (Diptera: Psychodidae) and Description of Evandromyia chacuensis sp. nov., a New Phlebotomine Species of the Chaco Region, Argentina.

A new species of phlebotomine sand fly is described and illustrated based on male and female specimens collected in rural and semi-urban areas of the Chaco Province, Argentina. A separation of the Cortelezzii series in two species complexes is proposed, as is a species key for its identification. The morphological characters of the new species permit its inclusion in the Cortelezzii series of genus Evandromyia, subgenus Barrettomyia (Diptera: Psychodidae). The species is named Evandromyia chacuensis sp. nov. Szelag, Rosa, Galati, Andrade Fhilo & Salomón (Diptera: Psychodidae).

Argentinian phlebotomine fauna, new records of Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) for the country and the province of Chaco.

Sand flies are insects of medical and veterinary importance, because some species are able to transmit several pathogens such as Bartonella spp., Phlebovirus spp., and protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania (Ross). They are widely distributed in the Americas, with recordings ranging from Canada to Argentina. Approximately 500 Phlebotominae species are known in the Americas, of which it is considered that at least 56 are involved in the transmission of leishmaniasis (Maroli et al. 2012). Previous studies have shown that the phlebotomine fauna in Argentina consists of 32 species distributed in 14 provinces (Quintana et al. 2012; Sábio et al. 2015; Salomón et al. 2010). Of these species, Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto), Ny. whitmani (Antunes & Countinho), Cortelezzii complex [Evandromyia cortelezzii (Brèthes) - Ev. sallesi (Galvão & Coutinho)], Micropygomyia quinquefer (Dyar) and Migonemyia migonei (França) have been found with DNA of Leishmania spp. (Moya et al. 2015). Five new records of species in the province of Chaco, obtained from different projects carried out between 2001 and 2015, four of which are also new records for Argentina, are described in this article. Their importance as potential vectors and the correct determination of the sympatric species is also discussed.

[Distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the Chaco region, Argentina, 2010]. / Distribución de Lutzomyia longipalpis en el Chaco Argentino, 2010.

The appearance of the vector of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) Lutzomyia longipalpis in the province of Formosa in 2004 was associated with urban epidemic risk for the first time in Argentina. During 2006, vectors, canine and human cases of VL were reported in the province of Misiones, and in summer 2008-2009, in the province of Corrientes. In Santiago del Estero province in 2008, cases of human and canine VL were associated with secondary vectors. Therefore, with the aim to know the current distribution of VL risk in the Chaco region, systematic captures of the vector were performed between January and April 2010 in 30 localities of Formosa and Chaco, and in the city of Reconquista, province of Santa Fe (224 traps/night). Lu. longipalpis was reported for the first time in the cities of Resistencia and Puerto Antequera (Chaco). Clorinda and Puerto Pilcomayo (Formosa) are the localities where the traps with more individuals were obtained, 158 and 241 Lu. longipalpis trap / site / night respectively. These results showed that the vector of urban epidemic VL is still spreading in Argentina, and already reached the province of Chaco. Sporadic cases reported in the Chaco region, transmitted by secondary vectors as Lu. migonei would also increase due to intensified surveillance, and the dispersion of the parasite associated with the transit of asymptomatic or symptomatic infected dogs.

Distribución de Lutzomyia longipalpis en el Chaco Argentino, 2010 / Distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the Chaco region, Argentina, 2010

El riesgo de leishmaniasis visceral (LV) urbana epidémica se registró por primera vez en la Argentina en el año 2004, por presencia del vector Lutzomyia longipalpis en la provincia de Formosa, la provincia de Misiones registra casos de LV humana, LV canina y vector en el año 2006, y la provincia de Corrientes en el verano 2008-2009. En la provincia de Santiago del Estero los casos de LV humana y LV canina en el año 2008 estuvieron asociados posiblemente a vectores secundarios. Por ello, para conocer la distribución del riesgo en la región del Chaco, entre enero y abril del 2010 se realizó la búsqueda sistemática del vector de LV en 30 localidades de las provincias de Formosa, Chaco y en la ciudad de Reconquista, Santa Fe (224 trampas/noche). Se comprobó la presencia de Lu. longipalpis, por primera vez, en las localidades de Resistencia y Puerto Antequera (Chaco). En Clorinda y Puerto Pilcomayo (Formosa) se obtuvieron las trampas con más ejemplares, 158 y 241 Lu. longipalpis trampa/sitio/noche respectivamente. Los resultados muestran que el vector de la LV urbana epidémica continúa dispersándose en el territorio argentino, habiendo ingresado a la provincia de Chaco. La notificación de casos esporádicos en la región chaqueña, transmitidos por vectores secundarios, como Lu. migonei, podría aumentar también debido a la vigilancia intensificada, y a la dispersión del parásito asociada al tránsito de perros infectados, sintomáticos o asintomáticos.

The appearance of the vector of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) Lutzomyia longipalpis in the province of Formosa in 2004 was associated with urban epidemic risk for the first time in Argentina. During 2006, vectors, canine and human cases of VL were reported in the province of Misiones, and in summer 2008-2009, in the province of Corrientes. In Santiago del Estero province in 2008, cases of human and canine VL were associated with secondary vectors. Therefore, with the aim to know the current distribution of VL risk in the Chaco region, systematic captures of the vector were performed between January and April 2010 in 30 localities of Formosa and Chaco, and in the city of Reconquista, province of Santa Fe (224 traps/night). Lu. longipalpis was reported for the first time in the cities of Resistencia and Puerto Antequera (Chaco). Clorinda and Puerto Pilcomayo (Formosa) are the localities where the traps with more individuals were obtained, 158 and 241 Lu. longipalpis trap / site / night respectively. These results showed that the vector of urban epidemic VL is still spreading in Argentina, and already reached the province of Chaco. Sporadic cases reported in the Chaco region, transmitted by secondary vectors as Lu. migonei would also increase due to intensified surveillance, and the dispersion of the parasite associated with the transit of asymptomatic or symptomatic infected dogs.

[Distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the Argentine Mesopotamia, 2010]. / Distribución de Lutzomyia Longipalpis en la Mesopotamia Argentina, 2010.

The first case of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Argentina was reported in 2006 in Posadas, Misiones. During the summer 2008-2009 Lutzomyia longipalpis, the VL vector, and canine VL cases were already spread along the province of Corrientes. In order to know the distribution of VL risk, systematic captures of the vector were performed between February and March 2010, in 18 areas of the provinces of Entre Ríos and Corrientes, and the city of Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, with a total of 313 traps/night. We confirmed the presence of Lu. longipalpis, for the first time in Chajarí (Entre Ríos), Alvear, La Cruz, Curuzú Cuatiá and Bella Vista (Corrientes), and Puerto Iguazú (Misiones). In Santo Tome and Monte Caseros (Corrientes), where the vector had been previously reported, traps with more samples were obtained with 830 and 126 Lu. Longipalpis trap/site/night respectively. These results show that the vector of urban VL continues spreading in the Argentine territory. Simultaneously, the spread of the parasite and the resulting human VL cases are associated with the dispersion of reservoirs, infected dogs, with or without clinical symptoms or signs, due to human transit.

Distribución de Lutzomyia longipalpis en la Mesopotamia Argentina, 2010 / Distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the Argentine Mesopotamia, 2010

El primer caso autóctono de leishmaniasis visceral (LV) en la Argentina se notificó en el año 2006 en Posadas, Misiones, y en el verano 2008-2009 se comprobó la dispersión del vector de LV, Lutzomyia longipalpis y casos de LV canina en la provincia de Corrientes. Para conocer la distribución del riesgo, entre febrero y marzo del 2010 se realizó la búsqueda sistemática del vector de LV en 18 localidades de las provincias de Entre Ríos, Corrientes y en la ciudad de Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, totalizando 313 trampas/noche. Se comprobó la presencia de Lu. longipalpis, por primera vez, en las localidades de Chajarí (Entre Ríos), Alvear, La Cruz, Curuzú Cuatiá y Bella Vista (Corrientes), y en Puerto Iguazú (Misiones). En Santo Tomé y Monte Caseros (Corrientes) se volvió a registrar la presencia del vector, y se obtuvieron las trampas con más ejemplares, 830 y 126 Lu. longipalpis trampa/sitio/noche respectivamente. Los resultados muestran que el vector de la LV urbana, continúa dispersándose en el territorio argentino. Simultáneamente, la propagación del parásito, y los consecuentes casos de LV humana se asocian al aumento de reservorios, perros infectados con o sin clínica, debidos al tránsito humano.

The first case of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Argentina was reported in 2006 in Posadas, Misiones. During the summer 2008-2009 Lutzomyia longipalpis, the VL vector, and canine VL cases were already spread along the province of Corrientes. In order to know the distribution of VL risk, systematic captures of the vector were performed between February and March 2010, in 18 areas of the provinces of Entre Ríos and Corrientes, and the city of Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, with a total of 313 traps/night. We confirmed the presence of Lu. longipalpis, for the first time in Chajarí (Entre Ríos), Alvear, La Cruz, Curuzú Cuatiá and Bella Vista (Corrientes), and Puerto Iguazú (Misiones). In Santo Tome and Monte Caseros (Corrientes), where the vector had been previously reported, traps with more samples were obtained with 830 and 126 Lu. Longipalpis trap/site/night respectively. These results show that the vector of urban VL continues spreading in the Argentine territory. Simultaneously, the spread of the parasite and the resulting human VL cases are associated with the dispersion of reservoirs, infected dogs, with or without clinical symptoms or signs, due to human transit.

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of the province of Chaco, Argentina.

The phlebotomine sandflies of the province of Chaco, Argentina, are poorly known, with reports from more than 40 years or captures related with outbreaks of leishmaniasis. In here, Mycropygomyia peresi (Mangabeira) is reported for the first time in Argentina, extending the known dstribution of Migonemyia migonei (França), Evandromyia sallesi (Galvão & Coutinho), Mycropygomyia quinquefer (Dyar), Brumptomyia brumpti (Larousse) y Nemapalpus spp to the province of Chaco. Mg. migonei, together with Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto), Evandromyia cortelezzii (Brèthes), and Psathyromyia shannoni (Dyar) also captured in Chaco, were incriminated as vectors of Leishmania in Argentina.

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of the province of Chaco, Argentina

The phlebotomine sandflies of the province of Chaco, Argentina, are poorly known, with reports from more than 40 years or captures related with outbreaks of leishmaniasis. In here, Mycropygomyia peresi (Mangabeira) is reported for the first time in Argentina, extending the known dstribution of Migonemyia migonei (França), Evandromyia sallesi (Galvão & Coutinho), Mycropygomyia quinquefer (Dyar), Brumptomyia brumpti (Larousse) y Nemapalpus spp to the province of Chaco. Mg. migonei, together with Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto), Evandromyia cortelezzii (Brèthes), and Psathyromyia shannoni (Dyar) also captured in Chaco, were incriminated as vectors of Leishmania in Argentina.

WITHDRAWN: Description of a new phlebotomine species from Argentina, Evandromyia chacoensis sp. n. (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae).

A new phlebotomine species, Evandromyia chacoensis, is described based on three females collected in the province of Chaco, Argentina. The morphological characters of the new species allow its inclusion in the genus Evandromyia. Spemathecae present body with superficial striations and the common duct is as long as the genital fork. These characters are similar to those of species belonging to the series rupicola of Evandromyia. Evandromyia chacoensis sp. n. is distinguished from the other species of Evandromyia by having spermatheca body with constriction from the middle towards the apex, and a slightly large apical ring.