Genetic differentiation over a small spatial scale of the sand fly Lutzomyia vexator (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Abstract

BackgroundThe geographic scale and degree of genetic differentiation for arthropod vectors that transmit parasites play an important role in the distribution, prevalence and coevolution of pathogens of human and wildlife significance. We determined the genetic diversity and population structure of the sand fly Lutzomyia vexator over spatial scales from 0.56 to 3.79 km at a study region in northern California. The study was provoked by observations of differentiation at fine spatial scales of a lizard malaria parasite vectored by Lu. vexator.MethodsA microsatellite enrichment/next-generation sequencing protocol was used to identify variable microsatellite loci within the genome of Lu. vexator. Alleles present at these loci were examined in four populations of Lu. vexator in Hopland, CA. Population differentiation was assessed using Fst and D (of Cavalli-Sforza and Edwards), and the program Structure was used to determine the degree of subdivision present. The effective population size for the sand fly populations was also calculated.ResultsEight microsatellite markers were characterized and revealed high genetic diversity (uHe = 0.79–0.92, Na = 12–24) and slight but significant differentiation across the fine spatial scale examined (average pairwise D = 0.327; F ST = 0.0185 (95 % bootstrapped CI: 0.0102–0.0264). Even though the insects are difficult to capture using standard methods, the estimated population size was thousands per local site.ConclusionsThe results argue that Lu. vexator at the study sites are abundant and not highly mobile, which may influence the overall transmission dynamics of the lizard malaria parasite, Plasmodium mexicanum, and other parasites transmitted by this species.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1826-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Phenological and intrinsic predictors of mite and haemacoccidian infection dynamics in a Mediterranean community of lizards

“…were both higher in this habitat for A. erythrurus . Thus, potential vectors of Lankesterella spp., such as sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae; Telford, 2009 ), could find more heterogeneity of available microhabitats to thrive in the forest (Neal et al ., 2016 ; Megía-Palma et al ., 2017 ). Beside sand flies, other haematophagous dipterans feeding on lizards exist in the Mediterranean region, and thus, are potential vectors of haemococcidians.…”

Genetic diversity and phylogeography of Phlebotomus argentipes (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae), using COI and ND4 mitochondrial gene sequences

“…Compared to previous studies on other sandfly species, many factors, including altitude, interpopulation distances, habitat modifications, anthropogenically induced-landscape fragmentation, vegetation types, geographic barriers, and interactions with host communities collectively contribute to the distribution, abundance, and genetic diversity of phlebotomine sandflies in Sri Lanka [13][14][15]. Those factors intertwine to shape the genetic landscape of these vectors, impacting their vectorial capacity and disease transmission dynamics.…”

Population Genetics of Parasites and Their Arthropod Hosts

“…This assumption simultaneously requires the dispersal of the vector to occur over short distances as not to disrupt the genetic structuring of P. mexicanum. Indeed, it has been found that the vector L. vexator disperses only minimally, staying mostly hidden in ground squirrel burrows and avoiding being carried over longer distances by wind currents [70].…”

“…mexicanum and its reptile host [70]. Further, parasites may prove useful if the host is genetically uniform, as may often be the case with introduced/invasive species where we need to reconstruct their invasion history [106].…”