Abstract
Phlebotomus oliverioi Barretto & Coutinho, 1941 was originally described based only on the male holotype and has since been considered junior-synonym of Psathyromyia brasiliensis (Costa Lima, 1932). The study of the holotype of Ph. oliverioi allowed us to conclude that the head of this specimen belongs to the genus Psychodopygus and the wings, thorax and abdomen belong to a different species of Psathyromyia. Thus, Ph. oliverioi is a not valid species, and must be removed from the synonym and excluded from the provisions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (Articles 17.2 and 23.8). The specimen was measured, drawn, photographed and the morphological characters are discussed. Lectotype and paralectotypes to Pa. brasiliensis are designated.
Highlights
Phlebotomine sand flies play an important role in the transmission of Leishmania spp., the causative agents of leishmaniases
267 species of phlebotomine sand flies have been recorded in Brazil (AndrAde et al, 2013), and a revision of Brazilian species of sand flies recently undertaken by one of the authors (AJA) has found that Phlebotomus oliverioi Barretto & Coutinho, 1941 has since been considered a junior-synonym of Psathyromyia brasiliensis (Costa Lima, 1932) is not a valid species
They compared the male of Ph. oliverioi to other phlebotomine sand fly species, which are today included in the genera Psychodopygus and Nyssomyia, according to the more recent classification of GAlAti (1995, 2003), and provided a taxonomic discussion based on genitalia characters
Summary
Phlebotomine sand flies play an important role in the transmission of Leishmania spp., the causative agents of leishmaniases. 267 species of phlebotomine sand flies have been recorded in Brazil (AndrAde et al, 2013), and a revision of Brazilian species of sand flies recently undertaken by one of the authors (AJA) has found that Phlebotomus oliverioi Barretto & Coutinho, 1941 has since been considered a junior-synonym of Psathyromyia brasiliensis (Costa Lima, 1932) is not a valid species. Ph. oliverioi is included among species presenting “the fifth palpus shorter than the third palpus” Based on this character, they compared the male of Ph. oliverioi to other phlebotomine sand fly species, which are today included in the genera Psychodopygus and Nyssomyia, according to the more recent classification of GAlAti (1995, 2003), and provided a taxonomic discussion based on genitalia characters. One of us (EABG) studied the holotype and observed that the characters of the head were similar to those of Psychodopygus lloydi (Antunes, 1937) and the characteristics of genitalia similar to those of Pa. brasiliensis, suggesting a probable mistake in mounting the specimen, leading to the misidentification of Ph. oliverioi
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