Morfologia do complexo Nyssomyia intermedia (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)

Abstract

The two species of complex Nyssomyia intermedia, N. intermedia s. s. (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) e N. neivai (pinto, 1926), had been pointed as important vectors of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in a large area of the south cone of the South America and, in some of thero, both species occur in sympatry. MorphologicalIy they are very c1ose. The objective of this work was to study adult's morphology of the species N. intermedia e N.neivai, seeking characters that alIow the distinction between taxon and also the study of their geographical distribution and transmission of leishmaniasis, biology, intraspecific polymorphisro, interpopulation and interspecific variation. It was analized insects of both species originated from scientific collections and from capture realized in some regions of the States ofMinas Gerais and São Paulo. The morphological structures ofhead, thorax and abdomen were studied by optical microscope. Afier the correct identification of both species it was update their geographical distribution considering also bibliographic data.Attempt were to associate the geographical distribution with cutaneous leishmaniasis. It was also studies the biological cyc1e of both species in laboratory conditions, N. intermedia captured in Além Paraíba, Minas Gerais State and N. neivai from Lassance, Minas Gerais State. Were annotated alI data referring to the development of each immature stage. To study of polymorphism inter and intraspecific it was analyzed the number of horizontal teeth in the cibarium, shape of the head of spermathecae and number of rings in the spennathecae, based in five populations of each species. The morphological study showed to be possible to separated both species, males by the tip of the genital filament, that is shaped as a ladle in N. intermedia and as a spoon in N. neivai. Female were separated by their characteristics in the spermathecae, as number of rings, shape of the head and length of individual and common ducts. Except to the shape of the head of spermathecae in N. neivai a1l populations of both species showed highly polymorphic in a1l analyzed structures.Biological studies showed that the ciele of N. neívaí is longer than N. íntermedia, mainly in L2 and L3 stages. Both species are found in simpatry in the States ofMinas Gerais and São Paulo, being that in Brazil, both are present in the Regions North, Center-West, Southeast and South and only N. íntermedía in the Northeast Region. N. neívai is also present in Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay. In Southeast and South both species are principal suspect in transmitting cutaneous leishmaniasis, and N. neivai, also can to play this function in Argentina and Paraguay. In short, the study made possible to identify that, despite ofhighly polymorphic both species, is able to distinguish them, even in area where they occur in simpatry. ÍNDICE