scholarly journals Sand fly identification and screening for Leishmania spp. in six provinces of Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Orawan Phuphisut ◽  
Chanyapat Nitatsukprasert ◽  
Nattaphol Pathawong ◽  
Boonsong Jaichapor ◽  
Arissara Pongsiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Human Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Spp

Abstract Background Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of Leishmania spp. At least 27 species of sand flies have been recorded in Thailand. Although human leishmaniasis cases in Thailand are mainly imported, autochthonous leishmaniasis has been increasingly reported in several regions of the country since 1999. Few studies have detected Leishmania infection in wild-caught sand flies, although these studies were carried out only in those areas reporting human leishmaniasis cases. The aim of this study was therefore to identity sand fly species and to investigate Leishmania infection across six provinces of Thailand. Methods Species of wild-caught sand flies were initially identified based on morphological characters. However, problems identifying cryptic species complexes necessitated molecular identification using DNA barcoding in parallel with identification based on morphological characters. The wild-caught sand flies were pooled and the DNA isolated prior to the detection of Leishmania infection by a TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Results A total of 4498 sand flies (1158 males and 3340 females) were caught by trapping in six provinces in four regions of Thailand. The sand flies were morphologically classified into eight species belonging to three genera (Sergentomyia, Phlebotomus and Idiophlebotomus). Sergentomyia iyengari was found at all collection sites and was the dominant species at most of these, followed in frequency by Sergentomyia barraudi and Phlebotomus stantoni, respectively. DNA barcodes generated from 68 sand flies allowed sorting into 14 distinct species with 25 operational taxonomic units, indicating a higher diversity (by 75%) than that based on morphological identification. Twelve barcoding sequences could not be assigned to any species for which cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences are available. All tested sand flies were negative for Leishmania DNA. Conclusions Our results confirm the presence of several sand fly species in different provinces of Thailand, highlighting the importance of using DNA barcoding as a tool to study sand fly species diversity. While all female sand flies tested in this study were negative for Leishmania, the circulation of Leishmania spp. in the investigated areas cannot be ruled out. Graphical abstract

Use of DNA barcode in the identification of fish species from Ribeira de Iguape Basin and coastal rivers from São Paulo State (Brazil)

DNA Barcodes ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Monteiro Henriques ◽  
Guilherme José Costa Silva ◽  
Fernando Yuldi Ashikaga ◽  
Robert Hanner ◽  
Fausto Foresti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Identification ◽  
Species Concept ◽  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractSpecies identification is a difficult task, ranging from the definition of the species concept itself to the definition of the threshold for speciation. DNA Barcode technology uses a fragment of the Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene as a molecular tool that many studies have already validated as a tool for species identification. DNA barcode sequences for COI were generated and analyzed from 805 specimens. The General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) analysis recognized 99 independent evolution units, and the Barcode Index Numbers (BIN) approach pointed to the existence of 104 BINs (interpreted as distinct species). By cross-tabulating the results of all approaches, we identified 109 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTU) by at least one methodology. In most cases (89 MOTUs), the genetic approaches are in agreement with morphological identification, and the discrepant results of MOTUs are in the complex groups, which have many morphological similarities but may represent species complexes.

scholarly journals Morphological identification keys for adults of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Sri Lanka

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tharaka Wijerathna ◽  
Nayana Gunathilaka
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Identification Keys ◽  
Control Programmes

Abstract Background Phlebotomine sand flies are a medically important group of insects that is responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis. Surveillance plays a major role in vector control programmes through exploring species abundance, potential entomological risk and designing appropriate control measures. In field surveillance programmes of such nature, morphological identification of vector species is of paramount importance. However, in Sri Lanka, there is no published taxonomic key available for the identification of leishmaniasis vectors. Method Identification keys for both male and females of the sand flies recorded in Sri Lanka were developed using morphological features. Main identification features were compared with the original observation of specimens collected from surveys and the use of published literature. Photographic illustrations of morphological features are included with the intention of making the keys user-friendly for non-taxonomists. Results A total of 22 sand fly species (Diptera: Psychodidae) of the genera Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia reported in Sri Lanka from 1910 to 2019 are included in the present work. Conclusion This simplified key, along with photographs taken from specimens would be beneficial to the health staff, entomologists and research staff who deal with leishmaniasis control programmes and vector-related studies.

scholarly journals Isolation of a Trypanosome Related to Trypanosoma theileri (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatidae) from Phlebotomus perfiliewi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattia Calzolari ◽  
Gianluca Rugna ◽  
Emanuela Clementi ◽  
Elena Carra ◽  
Marco Pinna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Transmission Cycle ◽  
Phlebotomus Perfiliewi ◽  
Insect Group ◽  
Very High ◽  
Trypanosoma Theileri

The Trypanosoma theileri group includes several trypanosome species hardly distinguishable due to the lack of discriminating morphological characters. Trypanosomes belonging to this group have been isolated from different bovine, ovine, and cervids in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Americas. The principal vectors of the T. theileri group are considered tabanid flies; however, T. melophagium is transmitted exclusively by sheep keds. In 2016, 128 sand flies out of 2,728 trapped in Valsamoggia municipality, Italy, were individually dissected and an unknown trypanosome strain, named TrPhp1, was isolated from a female of the sand fly Phlebotomus perfiliewi. Sequence analysis placed this trypanosome in the T. theileri group with very high homology to other trypanosomes detected in European cervids. This is the first report of the T. theileri group isolation from a sand fly, and the possible role of this insect group in the trypanosome transmission cycle is discussed. Within the T. theileri group, the phylogenetic analysis distinguished several lineages, which, unfortunately, do not correspond with their host specificity and their taxonomic status remains ambiguous.

scholarly journals INVESTIGATION OF LEISHMANIASIS VECTORS IN EL-KADOBA VILLAGE, WHITE NILE STATE, SUDAN

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 430-441
Author(s):  
Belal Abdallah A. Adam ◽  
Moawia Mukhtar Hassan ◽  
Osman Mohammed Abd Elnour ◽  
Ahmed Hamid Awadallah
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Kala Azar ◽  
Ecological Aspects ◽  
Binocular Microscope ◽  
White Nile

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL; kala-azar) is one of the most important parasitic tropical diseases in Sudan   and the Sudan is considered to be one of the most important foci in the world. The visceral leishmaniasis has been described in Sudan since the beginning of the twentieth century. In Sudan, VL is caused by Leishmania donovani complex: MON 18, MON 30 and MON 82 zymodemes and  The proven vector is Phlebotomus (Larroussius) orientalis, in this study a survey was carried out to identify the principal vector of VL based on Leishmania infection, morphological characters and to determine some ecological aspects of the sand flies prevalent in the area . Ten species of sand flies were recorded, three Phlebotomus species and seven Sergentomyia species of these sandflies, P. rodhaini was collected only from Acacia seyal/Balanities aegyptiaca at the Island whereas S. hunti was collected from the Acacia nilotica forest only of the total collections, P. orientalis representing 3.80% (248 specimens) of the total collection and P. papatasi were 3.11% of the collection. Sand flies identification was done under a binocular microscope at 40x (magnification). The main features used for sand flies identification were the sperm theca of the female, the termination of the male and the pharyngeal and the ciboria toothed structures of both sexes. According to results of this study we recommended the following:  more studies are needed in the future to determine the transmission season, and infection rates of Leishmania parasites in human and the animal host in this area. Annually Entomological surveys must be done to determine density of Sand fly Vectors and Encourage the use of personal protection tools (ITNs), repellents, and improving of houses to avoid bite of sand fly.

scholarly journals Molecular Evidence Suggests That Wolbachia pipientis (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) is Widely Associated With South American Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léo Nava Piorsky Dominici Cruz ◽  
Luis Fernando Carvalho-Costa ◽  
José Manuel Macário Rebêlo
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
South American ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Wolbachia Pipientis ◽  
16S Rna ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Causative Agents

Abstract Wolbachia pipientis (Hertig) is an endosymbiotic microorganism widespread among arthropods and other invertebrate hosts, and employed in strategies to reduce the incidence of arthropod-borne diseases. Here, we used a PCR-based approach for 16S RNA and wsp genes to investigate the prevalence, geographical distribution, and strains of Wolbachia in sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), the main vectors of the causative agents of leishmaniasis, from three biomes in Brazil: Amazon, Cerrado, and Caatinga. We found that: 1) Wolbachia DNA is present in most (66.7%) of the sampled sand fly species, including vectors of Leishmania spp. (Ross, Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae), 2) the prevalence of Wolbachia DNA varies among species and populations, 3) some strains of Wolbachia may have wider geographical and host range in South America, and 4) two phylogenetic distinct wsp sequences might represent two novel strains for Wolbachia in South America sand flies. Those findings increase the basic knowledge about Wolbachia in South American sand flies and might foster further researches on its use to reduce the transmission of sand fly-borne parasites.

scholarly journals Notes on the sand fly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a region of Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. e596101422480
Author(s):  
Paula Fassicolo Variza ◽  
Thiago Nunes Pereira ◽  
Joice Guilherme de Oliveira ◽  
Millena Fernandes ◽  
Daniel Moreira de Avelar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Forest ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Santa Catarina ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
And Control ◽  
First Time

The family Psychodidae has a cosmopolitan distribution with members that occur in many habitats, mainly in humid environments, and is most diverse in the tropics. Subfamilies Sycoracinae and Phlebotominae have females with hematophagous habits and the latter studied more due to medical and veterinary interest, since it includes species that can transmit diseases to animals and humans. The knowledge about the sand fly fauna in a region is extremely important for adequate monitoring and control measures for leishmaniasis. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize Psychodidae fauna in relation to richness, abundance and molecular identification of Leishmania spp. in sand flies in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil. The ollections were carried out between 2015 and 2016 in three cities in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Samples were taken near feeding places for domestic animals, urban forest and peridomicile areas. The insects were identified and female sand flies were submitted to molecular analysis to detect the presence of Leishmania spp.. A total of 4,200 insects were collected, 4,193 from the Sycoracinae subfamily and 7 Phlebotominae from the Nyssomyia neivai and Pintomyia fisheri species. Of the studied municipalities, sandflies were registered in Tubarão and Imaruí and the most frequent habitat was the peridomicile areas. No samples were positive for Leishmania spp. In conclusion, the work highlights the presence of two species of sandflies, which were recorded for the first time in southern Santa Catarina.

scholarly journals Unravelling the hidden biodiversity – the establishment of DNA barcodes of fish-parasitizing Acanthocephala Koehlreuther, 1771 in view of taxonomic misidentifications, intraspecific variability and possible cryptic species

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (13) ◽  
pp. 1499-1508
Author(s):  
Susanne Reier ◽  
Helmut Sattmann ◽  
Thomas Schwaha ◽  
Hans-Peter Fuehrer ◽  
Elisabeth Haring
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Intraspecific Variability ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Dna Barcodes ◽  
Taxonomic Assignment ◽  
Obligate Parasites ◽  
Intraspecific Variations

AbstractAcanthocephalans are obligate parasites of vertebrates, mostly of fish. There is limited knowledge about the diversity of fish-parasitizing Acanthocephala in Austria. Seven determined species and an undetermined species are recorded for Austrian waters. Morphological identification of acanthocephalans remains challenging due to their sparse morphological characters and their high intraspecific variations. DNA barcoding is an effective tool for taxonomic assignment at the species level. In this study, we provide new DNA barcoding data for three genera of Acanthocephala (Pomphorhynchus Monticelli, 1905, Echinorhynchus Zoega in Müller, 1776 and Acanthocephalus Koelreuter, 1771) obtained from different fish species in Austria and provide an important contribution to acanthocephalan taxonomy and distribution in Austrian fish. Nevertheless, the taxonomic assignment of one species must remain open. We found indications for cryptic species within Echinorhynchus cinctulus Porta, 1905. Our study underlines the difficulties in processing reliable DNA barcodes and highlights the importance of the establishment of such DNA barcodes to overcome these. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to collect and compare material across Europe allowing a comprehensive revision of the phylum in Europe.

scholarly journals DNA barcoding confirms the occurrence of Rhamdia branneri and Rhamdia voulezi (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) in the Iguaçu River Basin

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josiane Ribolli ◽  
Bianca Maria Scaranto ◽  
Oscar Akio Shibatta ◽  
Robie Allan Bombardelli ◽  
Evoy Zaniboni-Filho
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Molecular Taxonomy ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
Identification Of Species ◽  
Cytogenetic Analyses ◽  
Taxonomic Studies ◽  
Optimum Threshold ◽  
Iguaçu River

ABSTRACT DNA barcoding is a widely utilized molecular-based identification of species and taxonomic resolutions. Until recently, Rhamdia voulezi and Rhamdia branneri were considered species synonyms of Rhamdia quelen; however, morphological and cytogenetic analyses have suggested the validity of distinct species. Due to the absence of molecular taxonomy of R. voulezi and R. branneri, the objective of this study was to test its validity through traditional DNA barcoding and the GMYC (General Mixed Yule Coalescent) COI-based analyses in 19 specimens from the Iguaçu River Basin. In both methodologies, three MOTUs (Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units) were identified based on the estimated optimum threshold (OT = 0.77). The average inter-MOTU distance (NJ, K2P) between R. branneri and R. voulezi was 1.4%, and 0% intra-MOTU distance in both species. The two species identified as R. branneri and R. voulezi showed correspondence with taxonomic and morphological identifications. With regard to R. quelen, the average intra-MOTU distance was greater than OT (2.7%), indicating that this species can be formed by different MOTUs. We suggest that molecular and taxonomic studies should be employed concurrently in R. quelen, to prevent contamination of wild species by hybridizations.

scholarly journals Imagining Sisyphus happy: DNA barcoding and the unnamed majority

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1702) ◽  
pp. 20150329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Blaxter
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Dna Barcodes ◽  
Species Definition ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Biodiversity Science ◽  
Reasonable Time Frame

The vast majority of life on the Earth is physically small, and is classifiable as micro- or meiobiota. These organisms are numerically dominant and it is likely that they are also abundantly speciose. By contrast, the vast majority of taxonomic effort has been expended on ‘charismatic megabionts’: larger organisms where a wealth of morphology has facilitated Linnaean species definition. The hugely successful Linnaean project is unlikely to be extensible to the totality of approximately 10 million species in a reasonable time frame and thus alternative toolkits and methodologies need to be developed. One such toolkit is DNA barcoding, particularly in its metabarcoding or metagenetics mode, where organisms are identified purely by the presence of a diagnostic DNA sequence in samples that are not processed for morphological identification. Building on secure Linnaean foundations, classification of unknown (and unseen) organisms to molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) and deployment of these MOTUs in biodiversity science promises a rewarding resolution to the Sisyphean task of naming all the world's species. This article is part of the themed issue ‘From DNA barcodes to biomes’.

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