Cryptic Diversity in Sympatric Migonemyia migonei (Diptera: Psychodidae), Eventual Meaning for Leishmaniasis Transmission.

Migonemyia migonei (FranÒ«a, 1920) (Diptera: Psychodidae) belongs to the subfamily Phlebotominae, of epidemiological importance due to its role as a vector in leishmaniasis transmission cycles and its broad geographic distribution in South America. Few morphometric and genetic studies have demonstrated the existence of variability among geographically distant populations in Brazil. The aim of the study was to estimate the genetic distance within the morphospecies Mg. migonei through the analysis of cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of specimens captured in Argentina and those available in online databases. The COI sequences from specimens collected in different localities of Argentina and sequences available in online databases were utilized. Genetic distances were analyzed and a median-joining haplotype network was constructed. Finally, phylogenetic reconstruction was performed according to Bayesian inference. The analyses led to the identification of at least two haplogroups: haplogroup I with sequences of specimens from Colombia, Brazil and Argentina, and haplogroup II with sequences of specimens from Argentina. Interestingly, specimens from Argentina whose haplotypes corresponded to both haplogroups, were collected in sympatry. The results suggest that Mg. migonei could be a species complex with at least two distinct members. This hypothesis could explain the known characteristics of adaptability and vector permissiveness of the species, as the putative cryptic species of the complex could differ in traits of epidemiological importance.

Abundance of Lutzomyia longipalpis and Nyssomyia whitmani, the Leishmania spp. vectors in northeastern of Argentina: Are spatial and temporal changing patterns consistence?

Lutzomyia longipalpis and Nyssomyia whitmani were incriminated as vectors of Leishmania sp. Spatial heterogeneity together with seasonal changes in abundance constitute important elements for the understanding of the dynamics of vector populations, and there are fundamental for the development of adequate prevention and control strategies. The aim of this work was to compare the spatial and seasonal abundance of Lu. longipalpis and Ny. whitmani at a city spatial scale between two periods separated by three years. To study the spatial distribution, we compared the abundance distribution of these species at two warm times, 2011 with 2014. Respect to inter-annual seasonal abundance changes, we compared the four seasons of the year between two periods (2011-2012 vs 2014-2016). The spatial distribution for both species were found to be distributed mainly in the same areas of the city in both periods. We change for: Respect to the seasonal pattern of abundance, we observed that seasonal patterns showed changes between periods. Our study defines the 'where' and 'when' implement the actions to mitigate leishmaniasis cases.

Revisiting the Phlebotominae subfamily records in Bahia, Brazil.

Brazil is one of the countries that concentrates 90% of all tegumentary and visceral leishmaniases cases and Bahia is one of the highly affected states. In the present report, we consolidated secondary data from several complementary databases that allowed us to record the sand fly species identified including areas of Leishmania spp. transmission in the state of Bahia. We then overlayed the geographical distribution data onto maps of vegetational aspects found across the state. Overall, 21 602 records of phlebotomine sand flies occurrence between 1949 and 2016 were analysed, encompassing 85% of Bahia's municipalities. Seventy-six sand fly species under 17 genera were enlisted. Among described species, 27 were proven or putative Leishmania spp. vectors and three were considered exclusively endemic in the state. Lutzomyia longipalpis, Nyssomyia intermedia and Nyssomyia whitmani were found in 74, 29 and 27% of municipalities, respectively. Salvador, the state capital and major city presented records for 21 different sand fly species, including known vectors for leishmaniasis. In particular, a wide distribution of Evandromyia sallesi was detected for this city. This consolidated account on phebotomine fauna and distribution may be explored for improving the planning and deployment of vector-focused leishmaniasis control measures in affected areas of Bahia.

Sand fly typing: a simple and morphologically-supported method based on polymorphism of 18S rRNA gene in a Leishmaniasis endemic area of Argentina.

Leishmaniases are vector-borne diseases that in the Americas are distributed from southern United States to northern Argentina. The vectors for this disease are small dipterans known as sand flies that are usually identified morphologically by observing structures with taxonomic value; but it is time-consuming, laborious, and requires entomological expertise. Then, this work was aimed at identifying sand flies with molecular techniques, using the morphological identification as a reference technique, in an endemic area of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) located in northern Argentina. For this, sand flies were caught at two patches of vegetation adjacent to rural areas in Orán department, Salta Province. Females were dissected with sterile needles; the head and last abdominal segments were analyzed for morphological identification. The remaining thorax and abdominal segments were used to extract DNA, which was amplified by PCR of the small subunit (SSU), 18S rRNA gene. PCR products were digested with CviQI and DdeI enzymes to identify sand fly species by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Thus, the restriction pattern of each caught species was defined according to morphological identification. A total of 1501 females, belonging to four sand fly species, were captured. Nyssomyia neivai (1347/1501) was the most abundant species, followed by Migonemyia migonei (90/1501). From the total, 801 females were morphologically and molecularly identified, while 700 females were characterized only molecularly. For those females analyzed by both methods, there was total coincidence in the achieved result. Besides, the 5% (38/801) of females that could not be determined morphologically due to inadequate mounting were molecularly identified. All the females characterized just by PCR-RFLP, were successfully identified. Our results indicate that the explored method is capable of identifying the sand fly species that circulate in an ATL endemic area. Since this method is based on the analysis of markedly different patterns, the identification process might be more easily reproduced, as the bias introduced by the technician's lack of experience is removed.

The phlebotomine fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Guarai, state of Tocantins, with an emphasis on the putative vectors of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural settlement and periurban areas

Phlebotomine sandflies were captured in rural settlement and periurban areas of the municipality of Guaraí in the state of Tocantins (TO), an endemic area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Forty-three phlebotomine species were identified, nine of which have already been recognised as ACL vectors. Eleven species were recorded for the first time in TO. Nyssomyia whitmani was the most abundant species, followed by Evandromyia bourrouli, Nyssomyia antunesi and Psychodopygus complexus. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index and the evenness index were higher in the rural settlement area than in the periurban area. The evaluation of different ecotopes within the rural area showed the highest frequencies of Ev. bourrouli and Ny. antunesi in chicken coops, whereas Ny. whitmani predominated in this ecotope in the periurban area. In the rural settlement area, Ev. bourrouli was the most frequently captured species in automatic light traps and Ps. complexus was the most prevalent in Shannon trap captures. The rural settlement environment exhibited greater phlebotomine biodiversity than the periurban area. Ps. complexus and Psychodopygus ayrozai naturally infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis were identified. The data identified Ny. whitmani as a potential ACL vector in the periurban area, whereas Ps. complexus was more prevalent in the rural environment associated with settlements.

Report of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in a cutaneous-leishmaniasis-endemic area of Panama

Lutzomyia longipalpis is the primary vector of the parasite responsible for visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. In the present study, Lu. longipalpis was found in a domiciliary area in Limón, a district in Capira, a region in which cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Panama. Previously, this species has been found in a humid forest in this same region. Finding Lu. longipalpis in domiciliary areas indicates that this species may be adapting to new habitats and that it may play a role in the transmission of leishmaniasis in Panama.