Lutzomyia naftalekatzi, a new Species of phlebotomine sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Zona da Mata region, Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

Lutzomyia naftalekatzi, a new phlebotomine sand fly belonging to the L. aragaoi species group, is described from specimens collected in Zona da Mata region of Pernambuco, Brazil.Key words: Lutzomyia naftalekatzi n. sp. -Phlebotominae -sand fly -Brazil A new species was discovered among specimens of phlebotomine sand flies collected during studies on the eco-epidemiology and transmission of Leishmania in Zona da Mata, State of Pernambuco, Brazil (Felinto de Brito et al. 1993, Brandão-Filho et al. 1994). This species belongs to the Lutzomyia aragaoi (Costa Lima) species group and is named for Dr Naftale Katz of the Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Belo Horizonte, in recognition of his long and significant contribution to tropical medicine in Brazil. The description is based on characters proposed by the CIPA group (1990). All measurements are given in mm. Ventrocervical sensillae absent from cervix. Thorax: notum, pleurae and legs dark brown, pleurae somewhat paler than notum. Fore and hind femurs of equal length 1.125 (1.072 ± 0.035; n = 13) and 1.125 (1.068 ± 0.037; n =10), respectively. Middle femur shorter, length 1.042 (0.996 ± 0.044; n = 12). Ratio basitarsus 1/basitarsi 2+3+4+5 of foreleg 1.00 (0.98; n = 13); median leg 1.06 (1.03; n = 12) and hindleg 1.15 (1.10; n = 9). Wing broad, maximum width 0.878 (0.814 ± 0.043; n = 13). Length of principal wing sections: α (lR2) -0.686 (0.657 ± 0.042; n = 13); β (R2 + 3) -0.315 (0.310 ± 0.023; n = 13); γ (R2 + 3 + 4) -0.315 (0.318 ± 0.019; n = 13); δ (part of R1 extending beyond junction of R2 + R3) -0.302 (0.234 ± 0.033; n = 13); R5 -1.591 (1.511 ± 0.057; n =13).Katepisternum without anterior cerdae. Abdomen: coxite length 0.470 (0.454 ± 0.014; n = 13), maximum width 0.167 with tuft of approximately 70 (60-90; n =13) fine setae located from middle of structure to distal region. Style length

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in the State of Pernambuco

“…whitmani is well adapted to environments modified by man (e.g., for agricultural purposes) and in some areas, the cycle of transmission of L. braziliensis might occur in the peridomicile. Psathyromyia naftalekatzi is only species described from Pernambuco, based on specimens collected in a chicken crop in Amaraji, where cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic 3 . This species has been collected in areas of L. braziliensis endemicity 4,10 , but so far there is no evidence supporting its vector role.…”

“…During the past decade, several studies on phlebotomine sand flies occurring in the State of Pernambuco were conducted in areas of leishmaniasis endemicity [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] . These studies have provided new insights into the eco-epidemiology of leishmaniases in northeastern Brazil.…”

MOLECULAR DETECTION OF Leishmania IN PHLEBOTOMINE SAND FLIES IN A CUTANEOUS AND VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS ENDEMIC AREA IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

“…However, L. sordellii is known to feed on cold-blooded rather than warm-blooded vertebrates 15 , which probably indicates that it plays no role in the transmission of Leishmania parasites. Conversely, L. naftalekatzi apparently has a more restricted distribution 8 and there is limited information on its biology, including feeding habits, but so far there is no evidence suggesting its participation in the transmission of Leishmania parasites. In this regard, further studies with a larger number of specimens would be interesting to assess the actual prevalence of Leishmania infection in these phlebotomine sand flies, but also to identify the parasite species they carry.…”