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. 2024 Feb 19;33(1):e012623.
doi: 10.1590/S1984-29612024010. eCollection 2024.

Diversity of Glossinidae (Diptera) species in The Gambia in relation to vegetation

Alpha Kargbo  1   2 , Mamudou Jallow  2 , Thallitha Samih Wischral Jayme Vieira  3 , Amien Isaac Amoutchi  1 , Herve Koukoua Koua  4 , Aamir Muse Osman  5   6   7 , Rafael Felipe da Costa Vieira  3   8
Affiliations

Diversity of Glossinidae (Diptera) species in The Gambia in relation to vegetation

Alpha Kargbo et al. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Glossina species are known to transmit African Trypanosomiasis, one of the most important infectious diseases for both livestock and humans in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize trapped Glossina spp. from The Gambia using morphological and molecular techniques in relation to the vegetation cover types. A line transect survey was carried out in all the administrative regions of The Gambia. Tsetse fly trapping was carried out for 14 days during each season using line transect. A total of 220 Glossina spp. specimens (117 F and 103 M) were captured, and DNA was extracted from the legs of 100 randomly selected Glossina spp. Further, DNA samples were tested by a conventional PCR assay. A total of 135/220 (61%; 95% CI: 54.6-67.8%) and 85/220 (39%; 95% CI: 32.2-45.4%) flies were identified as Glossina morsitans submorsitans and Glossina palpalis gambiensis, respectively, with most caught during wet season (53.6%) and more females (53.2%) than males. Results of the morphological identification agreed with those of molecular identification. The type of vegetation cover significantly influenced the caught of tsetse flies. Animals and humans at the various trapping sites are at risk of being bitten by tsetse flies.

Espécies de Glossina são conhecidas por transmitirem a Tripanossomíase Africana, uma das doenças infecciosas mais importantes para animais de produção e humanos na África subsaariana. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar Glossina spp. de Gâmbia, usando técnicas morfológicas e moleculares em relação aos tipos de cobertura vegetal. Um transecto linear foi realizado em todas as regiões administrativas de Gâmbia. A coleta de moscas tsé-tsé foi realizada durante 14 dias e em cada estação. Um total de 220 espécimes de Glossina (117 F e 103 M) foram capturados e o DNA foi extraído das patas de 100 Glossina spp. de forma aleatória. Posteriormente, as amostras de DNA foram testadas por um ensaio de PCR convencional. Um total de 135/220 (61%; 95% CI: 54,6%-67,8%) e 85/220 (39%; 95% CI: 32,2%-45,4%) moscas foram identificadas como Glossina morsitans submorsitans e Glossina palpalis gambiensis, respectivamente, com mais capturas durante a estação chuvosa (53,6%) e mais fêmeas (53,2%) do que machos. Os resultados da identificação morfológica concordaram com os da identificação molecular. O tipo de cobertura vegetal influenciou significativamente a captura de moscas tsé-tsé. Os animais e humanos nos vários locais de captura correm o risco de serem picados por moscas tsé-tsé.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Location of The Gambia in West Africa showing the points where traps were set (A) on a transect of 100 m at village Kalagi in The Gambia (B).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Traps used in seasonal monitoring of tsetse flies: (A) Vavoua trap, (B) Biconical trap, and (C) NGU trap, in The Gambia.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Specimen of the tsetse flies caught: (A) G. m. submorsitans and (B) G. p. gambiensis in The Gambia.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Molecular identification of Glossina palpalis gambiensis (543 bp) and G. m. centralis or G. m. submorsitans (150 bp) caught in The Gambia.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Molecular identification of G. m. centralis or G. m. submorsitans (150 bp) species caught in The Gambia.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of The Gambia in October 2020.
Figure 7
Figure 7. Predictive map of G. m. submorsitans abundance in The Gambia.
Figure 8
Figure 8. Predictive map of G. p. gambiensis abundance in The Gambia.
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