Phenotypic and genotypic variations among three allopatric populations of Lutzomyia umbratilis, main vector of Leishmania guyanensis

Abstract

BackgroundIn South America, Lutzomyia umbratilis is the main vector of Leishmania guyanensis, one of the species involved in the transmission of American tegumentary leishmaniasis. In Brazil, L. umbratilis has been recorded in the Amazon region, and in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern region, where an isolated population has been identified. This study assessed the phylogeographic structure and size and shape differences of the wing of three Brazilian populations.MethodsSamples of L. umbratilis were collected from Rio Preto da Eva (north of the Amazon River, Amazonas), from Manacapuru (south of the Amazon River), and from the isolated population in Recife, Pernambuco state. These samples were processed to obtain sequences of the Cytochrome Oxidase I mitochondrial gene. Geometrics morphometry analysis of the right wing shape of the three populations was made using discriminate canonical analysis.ResultsPhylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of two distinct monophyletic clades: one clade comprised of the Recife and Rio Preto da Eva samples, and the other clade comprised of the Manacapuru samples. Comparing the Manacapuru population with the Recife and Rio Preto da Eva populations generated high indices of interpopulational divergence. Geometric morphometry analysis indicated two distinct groups between the studied populations. Canonical variate analysis of wing shape indicated that Rio Preto da Eva population is significantly closer to Recife population, and both populations were genetically distant from Manacapuru.ConclusionThe polymorphic sites and geometric morphometry analysis indicate that the distance, lack of continuity and environmental differences have not modified the ancestral relationship between Recife and Rio Preto da Eva populations. The genetic and morphological similarities shared by the Recife and Rio Preto da Eva populations suggest that these populations are more closely related evolutionarily. These results confirm the existence of an L. umbratilis species complex in the North and Northeast regions.

Multiple evolutionary lineages for the main vector of Leishmania guyanensis, Lutzomyia umbratilis (Diptera: Psychodidae), in the Brazilian Amazon

“…However, they could be identified by unique fixed mutation, as well as the genetic distance was rather small 33 . Later, Freitas and others 41 , using also a COI fragment, compared Manacapuru and Rio Preto da Eva populations, situated on the opposite banks of the same rivers, with a sample of Recife, in the northeast region from Brazil. Consistent with previous studies 33 , 40 , two distinct groups were observed: one group clustered individuals from Rio Preto da Eva (north Amazon River and east Negro River) plus Recife and, another group, clustered only individuals of Manacapuru (interfluve located of the north Amazon River and west of Negro River).…”

In-depth quantitative proteomics uncovers specie-specific metabolic programs in Leishmania (Viannia) species

“…guyanensis strain was isolated in the Amazon region where it is mainly transmitted by Lu . umbratilis [ 73 – 75 ]. Such distinct landscapes exhibit different flora and fauna for sandflies feeding and those distinct ecological scenarios should influence the preference for a particular metabolic pathway in parasites.…”

Lutzomyia umbratilis from an area south of the Negro River is refractory to in vitro interaction with Leishmania guyanensis

“…umbratilis populations from Manacapuru (Man; south of the Negro River) and Rio Preto da Eva (RPE; north of the Negro River) by using the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene and suggested that, based on its clustering, the Man population could be undergoing speciation. More recently, Freitas et al (2015 , 2016 ) compared these populations and included Lu. umbratilis specimens from Recife (in Northeast Brazil).…”

“…The complete lack of interaction between L. guyanensis and the midgut surface of Lu. umbratilis collected from Man may reflect the genetic and morphometric differences in this population ( Scarpassa & Alencar 2012 , Freitas et al 2015 , 2016 ).…”