The sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in military camps in northern Afghanistan (2007-2009), as identified by morphology and DNA 'barcoding'.

ABSTRACT: As part of a continuous, standardized programme of monitoring the Leishmania vectors in German military camps in northern Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009, a detailed taxonomic analysis of the endemic sandfly fauna, as sampled using light and odour-baited traps, was conducted. Of the 10 sandfly species that were recorded, six may serve as enzootic and/or zooanthroponotic vectors of parasites causing human leishmaniasis. The use of a simple DNA-'barcoding' technique based on the mitochondrial cyt b gene, to identify the collected sandflies to species level, revealed (1) a clear discrimination between the potential vector species, (2) clustering of species within most subgenera, and (3) particularly high heterogeneity within the subgenus Paraphlebotomus (Phlebotomus alexandri being grouped

SUBMITTER: Kruger A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4084661 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature