Confirmation of the species status of the blackfly Simulium galeratum in Britain using molecular taxonomy

The biology of Simulium noelleri and Simulium dolini: morphological, ecological and molecular data

Molecular genetic research has revolutionized the taxonomy and systematics of the Simuliidae family. Simulium noelleri Friederichs, 1920 is a species of blackfly, common in the Holarctic, reported for 33 countries. In 1954, Topchiev recorded it in Ukraine for the first time. Simulium dolini Usova et Sukhomlin, 1989 has been recorded at the borders of Ukraine and Belarus. It was described for the first time by Usova and Sukhomlin in 1989 from the collection from the territory of Volyn region in 1985. Usova and Sukhomlin, Yankovsky, Adler state that S. noelleri and S. dolini are different species by the morphological characteristics that differ in all phases of development. Adults differ in the structure of the genital appendages, palps, the margin and shape of the face and forehead, the colour of the legs; the larva – in the pattern on the frontal capsule, the number of rays in the fans, mandibular teeth and the hypostoma, the structure of the hind organ of attachment; pupae – in the branching way of gills. Molecular data are becoming an increasingly important tool in insect taxonomy. Therefore, we had to check that these two closely related species also have genetic difference. The development of S. noelleri and S. dolini was studied in four small rivers of Volyn region, Ukraine (Chornohuzka, Konopelka, Putylivka, Omelyanivka) in the period from 2017 to 2019. During initial processing of insect samples, we used the standard protocols EPPO PM7/129. We obtained the nucleotide sequence of S. dolini. It was proved that the populations of S. noelleri and S. dolini from medium and small rivers of Volyn differ in biological, morphological, behavioural and genetic characteristics. Comparison of the species S. noelleri with the data of the GenBank confirms the identification of three distinct morphotypes from Volyn, Great Britain and Canada. As a result of the conducted researches, it was confirmed that two close species of S. dolini and S. noelleri from the noelleri species group differ in the structure of mitochondrial DNA, which confirms their independent taxonomic status. Additional studies comprising more individuals from larger areas of Europe are required to verify the taxonomic position of these two species.

Simulium reptans (Linnaeus, 1758) and Simulium reptantoides Carlsson, 1962 from the Balkan Peninsula

Simulium reptans (Linnaeus, 1758) and Simulium reptantoides Carlsson, 1962 are two species of the Simulium reptans group whose distribution is unclear because of their confusing taxonomy and systematics. Their genetic variability is well known for populations in northern and central Europe and shows that both species have two forms; however, the genetic variability of these species in southern and eastern Europe is unknown. To identify the status of these two species in southeast Europe, mtDNA was extracted from 19 individuals from 12 localities across the Balkan Peninsula. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the existence of two species with 7.38-7.94% divergence. Each species was comprised of two clades, with 2.31% and 1.43% interclade divergence for S. reptans and S. reptantoides, respectively. This study revealed the presence of both species across the Balkans and that S. reptans occurs in this area in only one form (S. reptans B), while S. reptantoides is found in two genetic forms (A and B).

DNA barcoding of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) as a tool for species identification and detection of hidden diversity in the eastern regions of Spain

Background

Blackflies have negative impact on public and animal health due to the haematophagous habit of females. In recent times, in some regions in Spain, blackfly outbreaks are becoming more and more frequent, threatening the public health. However, there is still a paucity of data concerning the Spanish blackfly fauna. Correct identification of species is of paramount importance in order to provide correct information on species distribution, biology and behaviour, so that control measures could be implemented appropriately.

Methods

Blackflies specimens (larvae, pupae, reared adults and biting females) were collected in the period 2015–2017 in and near rivers and streams from different regions in Spain. A modified Hotshot technique was used for the DNA extraction and the cox1 DNA barcoding region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 was sequenced from the specimens collected.

Results

In total, we collected 239 specimens representing 22 species. Of these, six species are new records for the Aragón region: P. tomosvaryi, S. bertrandi, S. galloprovinciale, S. lineatum, S. rubzovianum and S. xanthinum. Cox1 DNA barcode sequences for 21 species were recovered, including four species of the genus Prosimulium and 17 species of the genus Simulium [Boophthora (1 species), Eusimulium (1 species), Nevermannia (4 species), Simulium (s.s.) (6 species), Trichodagmia (1 species) and Wilhelmia (4 species)]. For the first time the complete DNA barcodes for five species (P. tomosvaryi, S. carthusiense, S. brevidens, S. monticola and S. sergenti) were registered. Most of the specimens belonging to the same recognized species were clustered together in the neighbour-joining tree, except for S. argyreatum, S. monticola and S. variegatum. The overall genetic distance in the dataset was 0.14%. The average of the intraspecific genetic divergence within the different taxa was 1.47% (0.05–3.96%). In contrast, the interspecific divergence varied between 2.50–22.0%.

Conclusions

In this study we assessed the use of the cox1 DNA barcoding region for the identification of species of blackflies in Spain. Our results showed that combining DNA barcoding with morphology enhanced our taxonomic rationale in identifying the blackflies in the country.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3046-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

DNA barcoding as an aid for species identification in austral black flies (Insecta: Diptera: Simuliidae)

In this paper, the utility of a partial sequence of the COI gene, the DNA barcoding region, for the identification of species of black flies in the austral region was assessed. Twenty-eight morphospecies were analyzed: eight of the genus Austrosimulium (four species in the subgenus Austrosimulium s. str., three species in the subgenus Novaustrosimulium, and one species unassigned to subgenus), two of the genus Cnesia, eight of Gigantodax, three of Paracnephia, one of Paraustrosimulium, and six of Simulium (subgenera Morops, Nevermannia, and Pternaspatha). The neighbour-joining tree derived from the DNA barcode sequences grouped most specimens according to species or species groups recognized by morphotaxonomic studies. Intraspecific sequence divergences within morphologically distinct species ranged from 0% to 1.8%, while higher divergences (2%–4.2%) in certain species suggested the presence of cryptic diversity. The existence of well-defined groups within S. simile revealed the likely inclusion of cryptic diversity. DNA barcodes also showed that specimens identified as C. dissimilis, C. nr. pussilla, and C. ornata might be conspecific, suggesting possible synonymy. DNA barcoding combined with a sound morphotaxonomic framework would provide an effective approach for the identification of black flies in the region.

PCR detection of malaria parasites and related haemosporidians: the sensitive methodology in determining bird-biting insects

Background

Knowledge about feeding preference of blood-sucking insects is important for the better understanding epidemiology of vector-borne parasitic diseases. Extraction of DNA from blood present in abdomens of engorged insects provides opportunities to identify species of their vertebrate hosts. However, this approach often is insufficiently sensitive due to rapid degeneration of host DNA in midguts. Recent studies indicate that avian malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) and related haemosporidians (Haemosporida) belonging to Haemoproteus can persist both in vectors and resistant blood-sucking insects for several weeks after initial blood meals, and these parasites can be readily detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)—based methods. Because avian haemosporidians are cosmopolitan, prevalent and strictly specific to birds, the determination of haemosporidian DNA in blood-sucking dipterans can be used as molecular tags in determining bird-biting insects. This hypothesis was tested by investigation of prevalence of natural haemosporidian infections in wild-caught mosquitoes (Culicidae) and biting midges (Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides).

Results

Females of mosquitoes (1072 individuals of three species) and biting midges (300 individuals of three species) were collected in wildlife using simple netting. They were identified and tested individually for the presence of both the haemosporidian parasites and the bird blood using PCR-based methods. Seven different Haemoproteus and two Plasmodium lineages were detected, with overall infection prevalence of 1.12 and 1.67 % in mosquitoes and biting midges, respectively. In all, the detection rate of avian haemosporidian parasites was three fold higher compared with the detection of avian blood.

Conclusions

Molecular markers of avian malaria parasites and other haemosporidians are recommended for getting additional knowledge about blood-sucking dipterans feeding on bird blood. Many genetic lineages of avian haemosporidians are specific to avian hosts, therefore, the detection of these parasite lineages in blood-sucking insects can indicate their feeding preferences on the level of species or groups of related bird species.

Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Turkish Thrace, with a new record for Turkey

Background

This paper includes 2742 specimens of 18 species of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) collected from 132 lotic sites in Turkish Thrace, the European part of Turkey, in the early summer of 2002 and 2003 and the spring of 2005 and 2006.

New information

All species are recorded from this region for the first time, and Metacnephianigra (Rubtsov, 1940) is a new record for Turkey. Distributional and taxonomical remarks are given for each species.

New molecular identifiers for Simulium limbatum and Simulium incrustatum s.l. and the detection of genetic substructure with potential implications for onchocerciasis epidemiology in the Amazonia focus of Brazil

The Amazonia onchocerciasis focus of southern Venezuela and northern Brazil is the larger of the two remaining Latin American onchocerciasis foci where disease transmission still occurs and is often regarded as the most challenging of all the Latin American foci to eliminate onchocerciasis. The site is home to a population of over 20,000 semi-nomadic, hunter-gatherer Yanomami people and is made-up of a mosaic of rainforest and savannah ecologies, which are influenced by the area's undulating terrain and rich geological diversity. At least six blackfly vectors have been implicated in onchocerciasis transmission in this focus; however, because of the difficulty in their routine identification the relative importance of each has been obscured. Simulium limbatum and Simulium incrustatum s.l. have both been recorded as vectors in the Amazonia focus, but they are difficult to discriminate morphologically and thus the ecological range of these species, and indeed the presence of S. limbatum in the Amazonia focus at all, have remained controversial. In the work described here, we report 15 S. incrustatum s.l. CO1 sequences and 27 S. limbatum sequences obtained from field-caught adult female blackflies collected from forest and savannah localities, inside and just outside the Amazonia focus. Phylogenetic analysis with the sequences generated in this study, showed that both the S. limbatum and the S. incrustatum s.l. CO1 sequences obtained (even from specimens living in sympatry) all fell into discrete species-specific bootstrap-supported monophyletic groups and thus confirmed the utility of the CO1 gene for identifying both these species inside the Amazonia focus. As the S. limbatum-exclusive cluster included CO1 sequences obtained from forest-caught and morphologically identified specimens these results provide the clearest evidence yet of the presence of S. limbatum inside the Amazonia focus. The question, however, of whether S. limbatum is actually a vector in the focus still remains unanswered as the data presented here also suggest that S. limbatum found in the savannahs adjacent to, but outside the Amazonia focus (and which represent the only S. limbatum population to be unambiguously incriminated as a host of Onchocerca volvulus), are genetically distinct from those living inside the focus. These findings highlight the need for a clearer picture of the vector taxonomy inside the Amazonia onchocerciasis focus.

Integrated cytogenetic, ecological, and DNA barcode study reveals cryptic diversity in Simulium (Gomphostilbia) angulistylum (Diptera: Simuliidae)

An integrated approach based on cytogenetics, molecular genetics, and ecology was used to examine diversity in the black fly Simulium angulistylum Takaoka & Davies in Thailand. Cytological analysis revealed three cytoforms (A, B, and C) of S. angulistylum differentiated by fixed chromosome inversions. Distributions of these cytoforms were associated with ecology. Cytoforms A and B were found in low-altitude habitats (<600 m above sea level), whereas cytoform C occurred at high altitudes (>1000 m above sea level). Mitochondrial DNA sequences of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I barcoding region revealed significant genetic differentiation among the cytoforms. The mitochondrial DNA haplotype network revealed divergent lineages within cytoforms, indicating additional hidden diversity. Therefore, integrated approaches are necessary for fully understanding black fly biodiversity. Population genetic analysis revealed high genetic structuring that could be due to the habitat preferences of S. angulistylum. Phylogeographic analyses indicated population demographic expansion at the mid-Pleistocene (900 000 years ago), which is older than for other black flies and insects in the Southeast Asian mainland. The high level of genetic structure and diversity, therefore, could also be due to the long demographic history of S. angulistylum.

Molecular comparison of Quebec and Newfoundland populations of the blackfly, Simulium vittatum, species complex

Specific haplotypes at five positions in the COI and COII mitochondrial genes allowed a partial differentiation of Simulium vittatum Zetterstedt (Diptera: Simuliidae) populations from Quebec-Ontario and Newfoundland, respectively. This geographical signature was superimposed on about 40 other polymorphic sites such that sequence divergence alone did not enable a clear-cut distinction between the two populations. Together with the sporadic occurrence of haplotypes intermediate to the Newfoundland and Quebec-Ontario consensus, this suggested that one peculiar sequence among many found in populations from the North American landmass predominates in Newfoundland as a result of a founder effect. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) sequence from the nuclear rDNA transcription unit was no more able to resolve populations along geographical lines than the COI/COII criteria.