Abstract
Lutzomyia longipalpis s.l. is a complex of sibling species and is the principal vector of American visceral leishmaniasis. The present review summarises the diversity of efforts that have been undertaken to elucidate the number of unnamed species in this species complex and the phylogenetic relationships among them. A wide variety of evidence, including chemical, behavioral and molecular traits, suggests very recent speciation events and complex population structure in this group. Although significant advances have been achieved to date, differential vector capacity and the correlation between structure of parasite and vector populations have yet to be elucidated. Furthermore, increased knowledge about recent epidemiological changes, such as urbanisation, is essential for pursuing effective strategies for sandfly control in the New World.
Highlights
Lu. longipalpis species complex - The first evidence of morphological differences between populations of Lu. longipalpis s.l. was recorded by Mangabeira Filho (1969) studying Brazilian sandflies
Male sandflies collected in Pará state (PA) (North region of Brazil) had one pair of pale tergal spots on abdominal tergite IV, while the males from Ceará state (CE) (Northeast region of Brazil) had two pairs of spots, one on tergite IV and another on tergite III
Analyses involving populations from several countries of Latin America strongly supported the species complex hypothesis. Both alone and integrated, and all pointed to the existence of a Lu. longipalpis species complex
Summary
Molecular markers Mitochondrial Microsatellite Nuclear RAPD Citogenetic Maxadilan. Adamantina, Araçatuba, Bauru, Dracena, Jales, Lourdes, Marília, Oswaldo Cruz, Presidente Prudente, Promissão and Salmourão (São Paulo-SP). Afonso Cláudio (Espírito Santo-ES), Aracajú (Sergipe-SE), Barcarena and Cametá (PA), Ipanema and Nova Porteirinha (Minas GeraisMG), Passira (Pernambuco-PE)
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