scholarly journals Odor coding in the antenna of the tsetse flyGlossina morsitans

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (28) ◽  
pp. 14300-14308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeraj Soni ◽  
J. Sebastian Chahda ◽  
John R. Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Functional Organization ◽  
Response Spectra ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Morphological Type ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Response Dynamics ◽  
Olfactory Sensilla ◽  
Different Response

Tsetse flies transmit trypanosomiasis to humans and livestock across much of sub-Saharan Africa. Tsetse are attracted by olfactory cues emanating from their hosts. However, remarkably little is known about the cellular basis of olfaction in tsetse. We have carried out a systematic physiological analysis of theGlossina morsitansantenna. We identify 7 functional classes of olfactory sensilla that respond to human or animal odorants, CO2, sex and alarm pheromones, or other odorants known to attract or repel tsetse. Sensilla differ in their response spectra, show both excitatory and inhibitory responses, and exhibit different response dynamics to different odor stimuli. We find striking differences between the functional organization of the tsetse fly antenna and that of the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster. One morphological type of sensilla has a different function in the 2 species: Trichoid sensilla respond to pheromones inDrosophilabut respond to a wide diversity of compounds inG. morsitans.In contrast toDrosophila, all testedG. morsitanssensilla that show excitatory responses are excited by one odorant, 1-octen-3-ol, which is contained in host emanations. The response profiles of some classes of sensilla are distinct but strongly correlated, unlike the organization described in theDrosophilaantenna. Taken together, this study defines elements that likely mediate the attraction of tsetse to its hosts and that might be manipulated as a means of controlling the fly and the diseases it transmits.

scholarly journals Optimizing the feeding frequency to maximize the production of sterile males in tsetse mass-rearing colonies

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245503
Author(s):  
Soumaïla Pagabeleguem ◽  
Ange Irénée Toé ◽  
Sié Hermann Pooda ◽  
Kiswendsida Mikhailou Dera ◽  
Abdou Salam Belem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Feeding Regime ◽  
Eradication Program ◽  
Feeding Regimes ◽  
Blood Meals

Tsetse flies are cyclical vectors of trypanosomes, the causative agents of sleeping sickness or Human African Trypanosomosis and nagana or African Animal Trypanosomosis in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Insectarium de Bobo-Dioulasso (IBD) was created and equipped in the frame of Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) with the main goal to provide sterile males for the different eradication programs in West Africa which is already the case with the ongoing eradication program in Senegal. The aim of this study was to identify the best feeding regime in mass-rearing colonies of Glossina palpalis gambiensis to optimize the yield of sterile males. We investigated the mortality and fecundity for various feeding regimes and day alternation (3×: Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 4×: Monday-Wednesday-Friday-Saturday, 4×: Monday-Wednesday-Thursday-Friday and 6×: all days except Sunday) on adult tsetse flies in routine rearing over 60 days after emergence. The day alternation in the 4 blood meals per week (feeding regimes 2 and 3) had no effect on tsetse fly mortality and fecundity. The best feeding regime was the regime of 4 blood meals per week which resulted in higher significant fecundity (PPIF = 2.5; P = 0.003) combined with lower mortality of females (P = 0.0003) than the 3 blood meals per week (PPIF = 2.0) and in similar fecundity (PPIF = 2.6; P = 0.70) and mortality (P = 0.51) than the 6 blood meals per week. This feeding regime was extended to the whole colonies, resulting in an improved yield of sterile males for the ongoing eradication program in Senegal and would be more cost-effective for the implementation of the next-coming sterile insect technique (SIT) programs in West Africa.

scholarly journals Viviparity and habitat restrictions may influence the evolution of male reproductive genes in tsetse fly (Glossina) species

BMC Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grazia Savini ◽  
Francesca Scolari ◽  
Lino Ometto ◽  
Omar Rota-Stabelli ◽  
Davide Carraretto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Behavior ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Reproductive Genes

Abstract Background Glossina species (tsetse flies), the sole vectors of African trypanosomes, maintained along their long evolutionary history a unique reproductive strategy, adenotrophic viviparity. Viviparity reduces their reproductive rate and, as such, imposes strong selective pressures on males for reproductive success. These species live in sub-Saharan Africa, where the distributions of the main sub-genera Fusca, Morsitans, and Palpalis are restricted to forest, savannah, and riverine habitats, respectively. Here we aim at identifying the evolutionary patterns of the male reproductive genes of six species belonging to these three main sub-genera. We then interpreted the different patterns we found across the species in the light of viviparity and the specific habitat restrictions, which are known to shape reproductive behavior. Results We used a comparative genomic approach to build consensus evolutionary trees that portray the selective pressure acting on the male reproductive genes in these lineages. Such trees reflect the long and divergent demographic history that led to an allopatric distribution of the Fusca, Morsitans, and Palpalis species groups. A dataset of over 1700 male reproductive genes remained conserved over the long evolutionary time scale (estimated at 26.7 million years) across the genomes of the six species. We suggest that this conservation may result from strong functional selective pressure on the male imposed by viviparity. It is noteworthy that more than half of these conserved genes are novel sequences that are unique to the Glossina genus and are candidates for selection in the different lineages. Conclusions Tsetse flies represent a model to interpret the evolution and differentiation of male reproductive biology under different, but complementary, perspectives. In the light of viviparity, we must take into account that these genes are constrained by a post-fertilization arena for genomic conflicts created by viviparity and absent in ovipositing species. This constraint implies a continuous antagonistic co-evolution between the parental genomes, thus accelerating inter-population post-zygotic isolation and, ultimately, favoring speciation. Ecological restrictions that affect reproductive behavior may further shape such antagonistic co-evolution.

scholarly journals Diversity of tsetse flies and trypanosome species circulating in the area of Lake Iro in southeastern Chad

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Djoukzoumka Signaboubo ◽  
Vincent Khan Payne ◽  
Ibrahim Mahamat Alhadj Moussa ◽  
Hassane Mahamat Hassane ◽  
Petra Berger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Proteinase K ◽  
Single Infection ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Trypanosome Species ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Animal African Trypanosomiasis ◽  
Glossina Morsitans Submorsitans ◽  
Livestock Breeding

Abstract Background African trypanosomiases are vector-borne diseases that affect humans and livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. Although data have been collected on tsetse fauna as well as trypanosome infections in tsetse flies and mammals in foci of sleeping sickness in Chad, the situation of tsetse fly-transmitted trypanosomes remains unknown in several tsetse-infested areas of Chad. This study was designed to fill this epidemiological knowledge gap by determining the tsetse fauna as well as the trypanosomes infecting tsetse flies in the area of Lake Iro in southeastern Chad. Methods Tsetse flies were trapped along the Salamat River using biconical traps. The proboscis and tsetse body were removed from each fly. DNA was extracted from the proboscis using proteinase K and phosphate buffer and from the tsetse body using Chelex 5%. Tsetse flies were identified by amplifying and sequencing the cytochrome c oxydase I gene of each tsetse fly. Trypanosome species were detected by amplifying and sequencing the internal transcribed spacer 1 of infecting trypanosomes. Results A total of 617 tsetse flies were trapped; the apparent density of flies per trap per day was 2. 6. Of the trapped flies, 359 were randomly selected for the molecular identification and for the detection of infecting trypanosomes. Glossina morsitans submorsitans (96.1%) was the dominant tsetse fly species followed by G. fuscipes fuscipes (3.1%) and G. tachinoides (0.8%). Four trypanosome species, including Trypanosoma vivax, T. simiae, T. godfreyi and T. congolense savannah, were detected. Both single infection (56.7%) and mixed infections of trypanosomes (4.6%) were detected in G. m. submorsitans. The single infection included T. simiae (20.5%), T. congolense savannah (16.43%), T. vivax (11.7%) and T. godfreyi (9.8%). The trypanosome infection rate was 61.4% in G. m. submorsitans, 72.7% in G. f. fuscipes and 66.6% in G. tachinoides. Trypanosome infections were more prevalent in tsetse bodies (40.6%) than in the proboscis (16.3%). Conclusion This study revealed the presence of different tsetse species and a diversity of trypanosomes pathogenic to livestock in the area of Lake Iro. The results highlight the risks and constraints that animal African trypanosomiasis pose to livestock breeding and the importance of assessing trypanosome infections in livestock in this area.

scholarly journals Tsetse fly distribution and occurrence of Trypanosoma species among cattle and goats around Queen Elizabeth National park, Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mallion Kangume ◽  
Denis Muhangi ◽  
Joseph Byaruhanga ◽  
Aggrey Agaba ◽  
Joachim Sserunkuma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Glossina Pallidipes ◽  
Dual Infection ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Veterinary Importance ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Animal Trypanosomiasis

Abstract Background: African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) is an infectious disease of economic and veterinary importance in Sub-Saharan Africa. The current study aimed at providing baseline information on tsetse fly distribution and occurrence of Trypanosoma species in cattle and goats within and around Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), in western Uganda. A minimal entomological survey was conducted in April 2017 while blood samples collected from cattle (n = 576) and goats (n = 319) in June 2015 and May 2017 were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to determine the occurrence of Trypanosoma species.Results: Glossina pallidipes and G. fuscipes were the only tsetse fly species trapped in the study area with apparent density of 20.6. The overall prevalence of Trypanosoma spp. was 27% for goats and approximately 38% for cattle. The most prevalent Trypanosoma spp. in goats was T. brucei (n = 60, 18.8%) while the most prevalent in cattle was T. congolense (n = 102, 27.1%). In both cattle and goats, a dual infection of T. brucei + T. congolense was most encountered. In goats a triple infection of T. brucei + T. congolense + T. vivax was higher than that in cattle. Conclusions: Current findings show that there are two species of tsetse flies, and three species of Trypanosoma, important in transmission of AAT in both cattle and goats. Control efforts of AAT have mainly focused on cattle and this study proves that prevention and control efforts should also involve goat farmers.

scholarly journals Positional Dynamics and Glycosomal Recruitment of Developmental Regulators during Trypanosome Differentiation

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Balázs Szöőr ◽  
Dorina V. Simon ◽  
Federico Rojas ◽  
Julie Young ◽  
Derrick R. Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Metabolic Adaptation ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Sub Saharan

ABSTRACT Glycosomes are peroxisome-related organelles that compartmentalize the glycolytic enzymes in kinetoplastid parasites. These organelles are developmentally regulated in their number and composition, allowing metabolic adaptation to the parasite’s needs in the blood of mammalian hosts or within their arthropod vector. A protein phosphatase cascade regulates differentiation between parasite developmental forms, comprising a tyrosine phosphatase, Trypanosoma brucei PTP1 (TbPTP1), which dephosphorylates and inhibits a serine threonine phosphatase, TbPIP39, which promotes differentiation. When TbPTP1 is inactivated, TbPIP39 is activated and during differentiation becomes located in glycosomes. Here we have tracked TbPIP39 recruitment to glycosomes during differentiation from bloodstream “stumpy” forms to procyclic forms. Detailed microscopy and live-cell imaging during the synchronous transition between life cycle stages revealed that in stumpy forms, TbPIP39 is located at a periflagellar pocket site closely associated with TbVAP, which defines the flagellar pocket endoplasmic reticulum. TbPTP1 is also located at the same site in stumpy forms, as is REG9.1, a regulator of stumpy-enriched mRNAs. This site provides a molecular node for the interaction between TbPTP1 and TbPIP39. Within 30 min of the initiation of differentiation, TbPIP39 relocates to glycosomes, whereas TbPTP1 disperses to the cytosol. Overall, the study identifies a “stumpy regulatory nexus” (STuRN) that coordinates the molecular components of life cycle signaling and glycosomal development during transmission of Trypanosoma brucei. IMPORTANCE African trypanosomes are parasites of sub-Saharan Africa responsible for both human and animal disease. The parasites are transmitted by tsetse flies, and completion of their life cycle involves progression through several development steps. The initiation of differentiation between blood and tsetse fly forms is signaled by a phosphatase cascade, ultimately trafficked into peroxisome-related organelles called glycosomes that are unique to this group of organisms. Glycosomes undergo substantial remodeling of their composition and function during the differentiation step, but how this is regulated is not understood. Here we identify a cytological site where the signaling molecules controlling differentiation converge before the dispersal of one of them into glycosomes. In combination, the study provides the first insight into the spatial coordination of signaling pathway components in trypanosomes as they undergo cell-type differentiation.

scholarly journals Conjugal DNA Transfer in Sodalis glossinidius, a Maternally Inherited Symbiont of Tsetse Flies

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher G. Kendra ◽  
Chelsea M. Keller ◽  
Roberto E. Bruna ◽  
Mauricio H. Pontes
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Zoonotic Disease ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Dna Transfer ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sodalis Glossinidius

ABSTRACT Stable associations between insects and bacterial species are widespread in nature. This is the case for many economically important insects, such as tsetse flies. Tsetse flies are the vectors of Trypanosoma brucei, the etiological agent of African trypanosomiasis—a zoonotic disease that incurs a high socioeconomic cost in regions of endemicity. Populations of tsetse flies are often infected with the bacterium Sodalis glossinidius. Following infection, S. glossinidius establishes a chronic, stable association characterized by vertical (maternal) and horizontal (paternal) modes of transmission. Due to the stable nature of this association, S. glossinidius has been long sought as a means for the implementation of anti-Trypanosoma paratransgenesis in tsetse flies. However, the lack of tools for the genetic modification of S. glossinidius has hindered progress in this area. Here, we establish that S. glossinidius is amenable to DNA uptake by conjugation. We show that conjugation can be used as a DNA delivery method to conduct forward and reverse genetic experiments in this bacterium. This study serves as an important step in the development of genetic tools for S. glossinidius. The methods highlighted here should guide the implementation of genetics for the study of the tsetse-Sodalis association and the evaluation of S. glossinidius-based tsetse fly paratransgenesis strategies. IMPORTANCE Tsetse flies are the insect vectors of T. brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness—a zoonotic disease that inflicts a substantial economic cost on a broad region of sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, tsetse flies can be infected with the bacterium S. glossinidius to establish an asymptomatic chronic infection. This infection can be inherited by future generations of tsetse flies, allowing S. glossinidius to spread and persist within populations. To this effect, S. glossinidius has been considered a potential expression platform to create flies which reduce T. brucei stasis and lower overall parasite transmission to humans and animals. However, the efficient genetic manipulation of S. glossinidius has remained a technical challenge due to its complex growth requirements and uncharacterized physiology. Here, we exploit a natural mechanism of DNA transfer among bacteria and develop an efficient technique to genetically manipulate S. glossinidius for future studies in reducing trypanosome transmission.

scholarly journals Molecular screening for Anaplasmataceae in ticks and tsetse flies from Ethiopia

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sándor Hornok ◽  
Getachew Abichu ◽  
Nóra Takács ◽  
Miklós Gyuranecz ◽  
Róbert Farkas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glossina Pallidipes ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Ehrlichia Ruminantium ◽  
Blood Sucking ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Transmission Studies ◽  
First Time

Hard ticks and tsetse flies are regarded as the most important vectors of disease agents in Sub-Saharan Africa. With the aim of screening these blood-sucking arthropods for vector-borne pathogens belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae in South-Western Ethiopia, four species of tsetse flies (collected by traps) and seven species of ixodid ticks (removed from cattle) were molecularly analysed. DNA was extracted from 296 individual ticks and from 162 individuals or pools of tsetse flies. Besides known vector–pathogen associations, in Amblyomma cohaerens ticks sequences of Anaplasma marginale and A. phagocytophilum were detected, the latter for the first time in any ticks from cattle in Africa. In addition, part of the gltA gene of Ehrlichia ruminantium was successfully amplified from tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes). First-time identification of sequences of the above pathogens in certain tick or tsetse fly species may serve as the basis of further epidemiological and transmission studies.

scholarly journals Conjugal DNA transfer in the maternally inherited symbiont of tsetse flies Sodalis glossinidius

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher G. Kendra ◽  
Chelsea M. Keller ◽  
Roberto E. Bruna ◽  
Mauricio H. Pontes
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Zoonotic Disease ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Dna Transfer ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Dna Uptake ◽  
Sodalis Glossinidius

AbstractStable associations between insects and bacterial species are widespread in nature. This is the case for many economically important insects, such as tsetse flies. Tsetse flies are the vectors of Trypanosoma brucei, the etiological agent of African trypanosomiasis—a zoonotic disease that incurs a high socioeconomic cost in endemic regions. Populations of tsetse flies are often infected with the bacterium Sodalis glossinidius. Following infection, S. glossinidius establishes a chronic, stable association characterized by vertical (maternal) and horizontal (paternal) modes of transmission. Due to the stable nature of this association, S. glossinidius has been long sought as a means for the implementation of anti-Trypanosoma paratransgenesis in tsetse flies. However, the lack of tools for the genetic modification of S. glossinidius has hindered progress in this area. Here we establish that S. glossinidius is amenable to DNA uptake by conjugation. We show that conjugation can be used as a DNA delivery method to conduct forward and reverse genetic experiments in this bacterium. This study serves as an important step in the development of genetic tools for S. glossinidius. The methods highlighted here should guide the implementation of genetics for the study of the tsetse-Sodalis association and the evaluation of S. glossinidius-based tsetse fly paratransgenesis strategies.ImportanceTsetse flies are the insect vectors of T. brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness—a zoonotic disease that inflicts a substantial economic cost to a broad region of sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, tsetse flies can be infected with the bacterium S. glossinidius to establish an asymptomatic chronic infection. This infection can be inherited by future generations of tsetse flies allowing S. glossinidius to spread and persist within populations. To this effect, S. glossinidius has been considered as a potential expression platform to create flies which reduce T. brucei stasis and lower overall parasite transmission to humans and animals. However, the efficient genetic manipulation of S. glossinidius has remained a technical challenge due to its complex growth requirements and uncharacterized physiology. Here we exploit a natural mechanism of DNA transfer among bacteria and develop an efficient technique to genetically manipulate S. glossinidius for future studies in reducing trypanosome transmission.

scholarly journals Colonization of the tsetse fly midgut with commensal Enterobacter inhibits trypanosome infection establishment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian L. Weiss ◽  
Michele A. Maltz ◽  
Aurélien Vigneron ◽  
Yineng Wu ◽  
Katharine Walter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractTsetse flies (Glossina spp.) vector pathogenic trypanosomes (Trypanosoma spp.) in sub-Saharan Africa. These parasites cause human and animal African trypanosomiases, which are debilitating diseases that inflict an enormous socio-economic burden on inhabitants of endemic regions. Current disease control strategies rely primarily on treating infected animals and reducing tsetse population densities. However, relevant programs are costly, labor intensive and difficult to sustain. As such, novel strategies aimed at reducing tsetse vector competence require development. Herein we investigated whether an Enterobacter bacterium (Esp_Z), which confers Anopheles gambiae with resistance to Plasmodium, is able to colonize tsetse and induce a trypanosome refractory phenotype in the fly. Esp_Z established stable infections in tsetse’s gut, and exhibited no adverse effect on the survival of individuals from either group. Flies with established Esp_Z infections in their gut were significantly more refractory to infection with two distinct trypanosome species (T. congolense, 6% infection; T. brucei, 32% infection) than were age-matched flies that did not house the exogenous bacterium (T. congolense, 36% infected; T. brucei, 70% infected). Additionally, 52% of Esp_Z colonized tsetse survived infection with entomopathogenic Serratia marcescens, compared with only 9% of their wild-type counterparts. These parasite and pathogen refractory phenotypes result from the fact that Esp_Z acidifies tsetse’s midgut environment, which inhibits trypanosome and Serratia growth and thus infection establishment. Finally, we determined that Esp_Z infection does not impact the fecundity of male or female tsetse, nor the ability of male flies to compete with their wild-type counterparts for mates. We propose that Esp_Z could be used as one component of an integrated strategy aimed at reducing the ability of tsetse to transmit pathogenic trypanosomes.Author SummaryTsetse flies transmit pathogenic African trypanosomes, which are the causative agents of socio-economically devastating human and animal African trypanosomiases. These diseases are currently controlled in large part by reducing the population size of tsetse vectors through the use of insecticides, traps and sterile insect technique. However, logistic and monetary hurdles often preclude the prolonged application of procedures necessary to maintain these control programs. Thus, novel strategies, including those aimed at sustainably reducing the ability of tsetse to transmit trypanosomes, are presently under development. Herein we stably colonize tsetse flies with a bacterium (Enterobacter sp. Z, Esp_Z) that acidifies their midgut, thus rendering the environment inhospitable to infection with two distinct, epidemiologically important trypanosome strains as well as an entomopathogenic bacteria. In addition to inducing a trypanosome refractory phenotype, colonization of tsetse with Esp_Z exerts only a modest fitness cost on the fly. Taken together, these findings suggest that Esp_Z could be applied to enhance the effectiveness of currently employed tsetse control programs.

Distribution of tsetse flies and its Trypanosoma species infection in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-38
Author(s):  
A.O. Omonona ◽  
S.A. Abioye ◽  
P.O. Odeniran ◽  
I.O. Ademola
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Trypanosome Infection ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sub Saharan

Tsetse fly infestation in national parks is a major health risk to both the wildlife and tourists coming to sub-Saharan Africa. However, information on distribution and diversity of tsetse flies and trypanosome infection rate in Protected Areas like Old Oyo National Park in south-west Nigeria is largely unknown. Thus, the study evaluates distribution and diversity of tsetse flies in Magurba Range of Old Oyo National Park. Twelve Nzi traps were set at 50 m equidistance to capture Glossina species for a period of six months between February and August, 2019, considering both the altitudinal and ecological significance. A total of 136 tsetse flies belonging to four species; G. palpalis, G. tachinoides, G. morsitans and G. fusca; were captured. More Glossina species were captured during dry season 77.9% (70.0-84.6) than the wet season 22.1% (15.4-30.0). There was significant difference (p = 0.0001; x2 = 84.9; OR = 12.5) between the proportion of Glossina species captured at the riverine areas (106; 77.9%) and the woodland/forest areas (30; 22.1%). Glossina captured at ground level and 30 cm above ground were 71 (52.2 %) and 65 (47.8%) respectively. The overall prevalence of trypanosome infection (2.94%) was observed for Glossina spp. The presence of infected Glossina spp. indicated an urgent need to establish a concise strategic vector control in National Parks, in order to reduce the risk of transmission to both wildlife and humans in the area. The park is frequently visited by tourists, rangers, researchers and students for educational purposes. Keywords: Glossina spp.; Trypanosoma spp.; vector distribution; Old Oyo National Park

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