Lutzomyia umbratilis, the main vector of Leishmania guyanensis, represents a novel species complex?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lutzomyia umbratilis is an important Leishmania guyanensis vector in South America. Previous studies have suggested differences in the vector competence between L. umbratilis populations situated on opposite banks of the Amazonas and Negro Rivers in the central Amazonian Brazil region, likely indicating a species complex. However, few studies have been performed on these populations and the taxonomic status of L. umbratilis remains unclear.

Methodology/principal findings

Phylogeographic structure was estimated for six L. umbratilis samples from the central Amazonian region in Brazil by analyzing mtDNA using 1181 bp of the COI gene to assess whether the populations on opposite banks of these rivers consist of incipient or distinct species. The genetic diversity was

SUBMITTER: Scarpassa VM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3356248 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature