Identification of wild-caught phlebotomine sand flies from Crete and Cyprus using DNA barcoding

• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2676-0
• Publication Date: 2018-02-17T03:43:09Z
• Authors: Emmanouil Dokianakis; Nikolaos Tsirigot...; Vasiliki Christod...; Nikos Poulakakis; Maria Antoniou
• Keywords: Phlebotomus; DNA Barcoding; Phlebotominae; Entomology

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are vectors of Leishmania spp., protozoan parasites responsible for a group neglected diseases called leishmaniases. Two fly genera, Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia, contain species that present in the Mediterranean islands Crete Cyprus where visceral (VL), cutaneous (CL) canine (CanLei) leishmaniases public health concern. The risk transmission different can be studied an area by monitoring their vectors. Sand traditionally identified using morphological characteristics but minute differences between individuals or populations could overlooked leading to wrong epidemiological predictions. Molecular identification these important has become, therefore, essential tool research tasks concerning geographical distribution which directly relates leishmaniasis control efforts. DNA barcoding is widely used molecular method cataloguing animal sequencing fragment mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome oxidase I. was identify five (Phlebotomus papatasi, P. similis, killicki, Sergentomyia minuta, S. dentata) circulating during years 2011–2014. papatasi known vector zoonotic CL Middle East it found both islands. similis suspected tropica Greece causing anthroponotic CL. killicki collected first time. intraspecific diversity, discussed its potential as vector. consistent with identification. It successfully males females, difficult when only characters. A phylogenetic tree constructed based on barcodes acquired, representing genetic relationships along other from studied. All were clustered according subgenus. via accurately medically insects assisting traditional tools, thus helping assess implication transmission.