Abstract
BackgroundThe tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes s.l. is responsible for the transmission of approximately 90% of cases of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness. Three G. fuscipes subspecies have been described, primarily based upon subtle differences in the morphology of their genitalia. Here we describe a study conducted across the range of this important vector to determine whether molecular evidence generated from nuclear DNA (microsatellites and gene sequence information), mitochondrial DNA and symbiont DNA support the existence of these taxa as discrete taxonomic units.Principal FindingsThe nuclear ribosomal Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) provided support for the three subspecies. However nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data did not support the monophyly of the morphological subspecies G. f. fuscipes or G. f. quanzensis. Instead, the most strongly supported monophyletic group was comprised of flies sampled from Ethiopia. Maternally inherited loci (mtDNA and symbiont) also suggested monophyly of a group from Lake Victoria basin and Tanzania, but this group was not supported by nuclear loci, suggesting different histories of these markers. Microsatellite data confirmed strong structuring across the range of G. fuscipes s.l., and was useful for deriving the interrelationship of closely related populations.Conclusion/SignificanceWe propose that the morphological classification alone is not used to classify populations of G. fuscipes for control purposes. The Ethiopian population, which is scheduled to be the target of a sterile insect release (SIT) programme, was notably discrete. From a programmatic perspective this may be both positive, given that it may reflect limited migration into the area or negative if the high levels of differentiation are also reflected in reproductive isolation between this population and the flies to be used in the release programme.
Highlights
Control of Human African Trypansomiasis (HAT) has largely been based upon the detection and treatment of human cases [1]
Part of the explanation for the relative neglect of anti- vector interventions is that the majority of cases of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) are transmitted by flies within the Glossina palpalis group which are less amenable to control using natural or artificial baits
Glossina fuscipes s.l. tsetse flies are responsible for transmission of approximately 90% of the cases of Human African Typanosomiasis in Sub Saharan Africa
Summary
Control of Human African Trypansomiasis (HAT) has largely been based upon the detection and treatment of human cases [1]. The recently launched Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) has placed anti-vector interventions back on the agenda for HAT control. This initiative aims to identify, eradicate discrete populations of tsetse flies. The programme is not reliant upon a single intervention but will take an integrated vector management (IVM) approach which tailors the interventions to the ecology and bionomics of the target species Most interventions, such as aerial spraying, bait and trap methods and release of sterile irradiated-males (SIT), require a detailed understanding of the biology and population genetics of the target species. We describe a study conducted across the range of this important vector to determine whether molecular evidence generated from nuclear DNA (microsatellites and gene sequence information), mitochondrial DNA and symbiont DNA support the existence of these taxa as discrete taxonomic units
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