Identification of Sand flies of the Subgenus Larroussius based on Molecular and Morphological Characters in North Western Iran

Abstract

Background: THE ADULT FEMALE SAND FLIES (DIPTERA: Psychodidae) of the subgenus Larroussius are important vectors of Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Tripanosomatidae) in Meshkinshahr district, Northwest of Iran. Four Phlebotomus (Larroussius) species are present in this area, i.e. Phlebotomus (Larroussius) kandelakii, P. (La.) major, P. (La.) perfiliewi and P. (La.) tobbi. The objective of the present study was to identify and distinguish the females of P. perfiliewi, P. major and P. tobbi, in this district.

Methods: Adult sand flies were collected with sticky papers, CDC light traps, and aspirator in 2006. Individual sand flies of this four species from thirty different locations were characterized morphologically and by comparative DNA sequences analyses of a fragment of mitochondrial gene Cytochrome b (Cyt b) and nuclear gene Elongation Factor 1-alpha (EF-1α). PCR amplification was carried out for all three species P. major, P. perfiliewi and P. tobbi in the subgenus Larroussius.

Results: Phylogenetic analyses of P. major populations in this study displayed two different populations and genetic diversity. Spermathecal segment number, pharyngeal armature and other morphological characters of these three species were examined and found to present consistent interspecific differences.

Conclusion: According to our findings, the phylogeny of Cyt b and EF-1α haplotypes confirms the relationships between P. major, P. tobbi and P. perfiliewi as already defined by their morphological similarities.

Keywords: Cytochrome b; Elongation Factor-1α; Iran; Larroussius; Morphology; Phlebotomus.

Fig. 1.

Neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree for DNA haplotypes of Cyt b (mtDNA) of the subgenus Larroussius sand flies species

Fig. 2.

Neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree for DNA haplotypes of EF-1α (nDNA) of the subgenus Larroussius sand flies species

Fig. 3.

Neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree for DNA haplotypes of combination of Cyt b and EF-1α of the subgenus Larroussius sand flies species.

Fig. 4.

Pharyngeal armature of P. major

Fig. 5.

Spermatheca of P. major

Fig. 6.

Pharyngeal armature of P. tobbi

Fig. 7.

Spermatheca of P. tobbi

Fig. 8.

Pharyngeal armature of P.perfiliewi

Fig. 9.

Spermatheca of P.perfiliewi

Fig. 10.

Palpal formula of P.major

Fig. 11.

Coxite hairs of P.major

Fig. 12.

Palpal formula of P.neglectus

Fig. 13.

Coxite hairs of P.neglectus