ABSTRACT
@#The males of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) miblosi Takaoka in the S. epistum species-group, and S. (G.) apoense Takaoka in the S. ceylonicum species-group, both from Mindanao, the Philippines, are described for the first time. The male of S. (G.) miblosi is characterized by the hind tibia yellowish white on the basal three-fifths, elongate calcipala 1.5 times as long as its basal width, and ventral plate triangular ventrally (0.74 times as high as its greatest width) when viewed caudally. Tubercles on the frons and trichomes on the head and thorax of the pupa of this species are illustrated for the first time. The male of S. (G.) apoense is characterized by the small sensory vesicle 0.16–0.19 times as long as the third palpal segment, and enlarged hind basitarsus 1.0 and 1.2–1.3 times as wide as the hind tibia and femur, respectively. Taxonomic notes of these two species relevant to related species in each species-group are given.
ABSTRACT
@#Simulium (Gomphostilbia) ogatai (Rubtsov) from Japan, the only Palaearctic species in the S. ceylonicum species-group, is morphologically revised. Its female is described for the first time and its male and pupa are redescribed based on specimens from Gifu, Honshu. It is characterized in the female and male by the base of the radius with a tuft of yellow hairs, in the female by the head slightly wider than the thorax, 5.89 times as wide as the greatest width of the frons, and short sensory vesicle 0.21–0.24 times as long as the third palpal segment; in the male by the number of upper-eye (large) facets in 15 vertical columns and 16 horizontal rows, and hind basitarsus spindle-shaped, enlarged, 3.79 times as long as wide, and 0.83 and 1.00 times as wide as the greatest width of the hind tibia and femur, respectively; and in the pupa by the terminal hooks simple and cone-like, and the cocoon with an anterodorsal projection. Taxonomic notes for this species are given relevant to several related species in the Oriental Region, and its assignment to the S. ceylonicum species-group is confirmed.
ABSTRACT
@#Simulium (Wallacellum) tuyense Takaoka, one of the 14 Philippine species in the subgenus Wallacellum Takaoka, is a rare species in having the pupal antennal sheath with a row of stout spines on the apex of each protuberance corresponding to flagellomeres 2–9. The female of this species is described for the first time based on specimens from Mindoro, the Philippines. It is characterized by an elongate sensory vesicle, triangular ovipositor valve, genital fork with two projections, and paraproct not produced anteriorly. This species is morphologically indistinguishable in the female, as in the male and pupa, from S. (W.) yonakuniense Takaoka from Yonakuni Island, Japan and Lanyu Island, Taiwan. Taxonomic notes on the female of this species relevant to those of related species are provided. Collection data to validate earlier distribution records of S. (W.) tuyense and S. (W.) suyoense Takaoka from Mindanao are presented.
ABSTRACT
Two new black fly species, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) kaohsiungense and S. (G.) shoufengense, are described from females, males and pupae in Taiwan. These new species are placed in the S. asakoae species-group. Simulium (G.) kaohsiungense sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the elongate female sensory vesicle, male upper-eye (large) facets in 15 vertical columns and 15 or 16 horizontal rows, male hind basitarsus 1.02-1.15 times the width of the hind femur, and widened pupal terminal hooks. These characteristics distinguish this new species from most species of the S. asakoae species-group. Simulium (G.) shoufengense sp. nov. is similar in the female and male to S. (G.) asakoae Takaoka & Davies originally described from Peninsular Malaysia but is distinguished from the latter species in the pupa by the combined length of the primary and secondary stalks of the dorsal triplet of gill filaments as long as or longer than the common basal stalk of the gill, and dorsum of abdominal segments 1 and 2 not darkened. The species previously regarded in Taiwan as S. (G.) metatarsale Brunetti, originally described from India, is morphologically and molecularly identified as S. (G.) asakoae.
Subject(s)
Simuliidae , Animals , Female , Larva , Male , Pupa , Simuliidae/anatomy & histology , Simuliidae/classification , TaiwanABSTRACT
@#Simulium (Simulium) rufibasis Brunetti originally described from India was once considered a geographic generalist widely distributed in the Oriental Region. In this study, the species previously regarded as S. (S.) rufibasis in Taiwan was morphologically re-evaluated and found to be distinguished in the male and pupa from true S. (S.) rufibasis from India. This new species is described as S. (S.) hehuanense sp. nov. based on a female, a male and their pupal exuviae in Taiwan. This new species is placed in the S. rufibasis subgroup of the S. tuberosum species-group, and is similar to S. (S.) yamatoense Takaoka, Adler & Fukuda from Japan and Korea, but it is barely distinguished by the slenderer forebasitarsi of the female and male. Another new, related species, S. (S.) xiulinense sp. nov., is described based on a male and its pupal exuviae. This new species is distinguished from S. (S.) hehuanense sp. nov. by the number of male upper-eye (large) facets in 20 or 21 vertical columns and 22 horizontal rows (19 vertical columns and 19 horizontal rows in the latter species), and presence of a pair of dorsolateral shiny spots on male abdominal segment 5 (absence in the latter species). Both new species inhabit streams at high elevations (ca, 2,600 m). They differ from S. (S.) sp. (probably S. (S.) arisanum Shiraki) from Taiwan, of the same subgroup, which breeds in streams at low elevations (433–685 m), by the pupal head and thorax covered with tubercles (bare in the latter species).
ABSTRACT
Over the last decade, an arbovirus surveillance system based on the preservation of nucleic acids (RNA/DNA) has been developed using Flinders Technology Associates (FTAâ) cards. Soaked in honey, FTAâ cards are applied in the field to detect arboviruses expectorated during mosquito sugar feeding. This technique has been shown to be inexpensive and efficient, and the implementation of this system for detecting parasites could be of international importance. As Leishmania parasites are highly prevalent in developing countries, FTAâ cards may offer an alternative inexpensive tool to enhance field surveillance activities for leishmaniasis. The simple approach of applying the cards in programs can substitute the necessary extensive training of personnel. In our hands, Leishmania macropodum DNA was shown to be stable on FTAâ cards during a 10-week time course, supporting their suitability for projects where direct access to laboratories is unobtainable and samples require storage prior to processing. This method may benefit programs in remote areas where accessibility to laboratory facilities are limited and samples need to be stored long-term.â¢This study found that FTA cards could be a valuable tool in the surveillance of leishmaniasis.â¢The method is based on the long-term preservation and detection of Leishmania DNA expectorated during insect sugar feeding.â¢The application of FTA cards can preclude the need to screen large samples and analysis of insect populations to provide evidence of disease transmission.
ABSTRACT
A new species of black fly, Prosimulium kazukii, is described based on female, male and pupal specimens collected from central Honshu, Japan. It is placed in the Prosimulium magnum species-group, and is characterized in the female and male by yellow thoraces, and in the pupa by the frons and dorsal surface of the thorax without distinct tubercles. By these characters, it is distinguished from all four related species (P. apoina Ono, P. kalibaense Ono, P. sarurense Ono, and P. yezoense Shiraki) of the same species-group in Japan. The female of this new species was previously known as an aberrant form of P. yezoense.