Latitudinal diversity of biting midge species within the Obsoletus group across three habitats in Europe.

ABSTRACT: Culicoides species from the Obsoletus group are important vectors of bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus. This group consists of several species that cannot easily be identified using morphological characteristics. Therefore, limited information is available about their distribution and habitat preferences. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the species composition of the Obsoletus group in three habitat types at climatically different latitudes across Europe. Traps were placed in three habitat types in three countries at different latitudes. After DNA extraction, biting midges were identified using PCR and gel electrophoresis. Extraction of DNA using Chelex proved to be a cost and time efficient method for species identification. A latitudinal effect on the relative abundance of species

SUBMITTER: Mohlmann TWR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6849825 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature