Morphological and molecular description of a new species of sandfly, Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) ashwanii sp. nov. (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Western Ghats, India
10.4103/apjtm.apjtm_732_23
- Author:
Prasanta Saini
1
;
Harish Kumar Shah
1
;
Jessu Mathew
1
;
Sonia T
1
Author Information
1. ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (Field Station), Kottayam, Kerala, India
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) ashwanii;
COI barcode;
Western Ghats;
Phlebotomine sandflies
- From:
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine
2024;17(5):226-234
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: To report a new species of sandfly, Sergentomyia
(Neophlebotomus) ashwanii sp. nov. (Diptera: Psychodidae) from
Western Ghats, India.
Methods: A systematic sandfly survey was conducted in the
Thrissur and Kollam districts of Kerala, India using mechanical
aspirators, light and sticky traps, both indoor and outdoor habitats,
for a period of one year. Deoxyribonucleic acid barcoding of samples
was performed targeting mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI)
gene and sequence generated was subjected to phylogenetic analysis.
Results: Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) ashwanii, a new sandfly
species is recorded and described in this communication. A single
row of 10-12 pointed teeth in the cibarium with 4-6 small denticles
or fore-teeth are the key characteristics that is distinctive from
other members of the subgenus Neophlebotomus. Mitochondrial
COI barcode followed by phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide
sequence confirms that specimens of the species belong to the
same taxonomic group while the genetic distance (14.2%) with the
congeners established it to be a different species.
Conclusions: The Western Ghats' being an important biodiversity
hotspot and has dearth of systematic entomological surveys on
sandflies. The current study tried to fill the void and also report a
new sandfly species.
- Full text:226-234 (APJTM-732-23)4.pdf
