Dataset Information

Biodiversity, seasonal abundance, and distribution of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in six different regions of Thailand.

ABSTRACT: Blackflies are an important medical and veterinary group of small blood-sucking insects. Ninety-three blackfly species have been reported in Thailand. However, information on their biodiversity and population dynamics in each region is lacking. The main aim of this study was to assess the regional biodiversity, seasonal abundance and distribution of blackflies in six eco-geographically different regions in the country.Blackfly larvae and pupae were sampled monthly from 58 sites between May 2011 and April 2013. Diversity parameters, seasonal abundance, regional distribution and frequency of species occurrence in stream sites were analyzed.A total of 19,456 mature larvae representing 57 species, and belonging to six subgenera in the genus Simulium Latreille (s.l.), were found. The five predominant taxa were S. fenestratum (8.6%), the S. asakoae complex (8.3%), S. nakhonense (7.5%), the S. siamense complex (7.4%) and the S. doipuiense complex (6.7%). The most frequent taxa at all sites were the S. asakoae complex (84.5%), followed by S. fenestratum (82.8%), the S. siamense complex (75.9%), S. decuplum (60.3%), S. nakhonense (58.6%) and the S. tani complex (48.3%). The richness of regional species was highest (40 species) in the north and predominated in the cold season. However, blackflies in the south predominated during the hot season. The highest numbers of blackflies collected from central, northeastern, eastern and western regions of the country were observed in the rainy season. Overall, the mean number of blackflies collected across the six regions during the rainy and cold season had no statistically significant difference, but it differed significantly in the hot season.Blackflies in Thailand were surveyed in all three seasons across six geographical regions. These findings demonstrated that blackfly communities at each stream site varied with seasonality, and the regional relative abundance of blackflies differed markedly in the hot season. It was also found that the occurrence and distribution of blackflies in each region were associated strongly with elevation.

SUBMITTER: Srisuka W

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5697434 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Biodiversity, seasonal abundance, and distribution of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in six different regions of Thailand.

Srisuka Wichai W Takaoka Hiroyuki H Otsuka Yasushi Y Fukuda Masako M Thongsahuan Sorawat S Taai Kritsana K Saeung Atiporn A

Parasites & vectors 20171121 1

<h4>Background</h4>Blackflies are an important medical and veterinary group of small blood-sucking insects. Ninety-three blackfly species have been reported in Thailand. However, information on their biodiversity and population dynamics in each region is lacking. The main aim of this study was to assess the regional biodiversity, seasonal abundance and distribution of blackflies in six eco-geographically different regions in the country.<h4>Methods</h4>Blackfly larvae and pupae were sampled mont ...[more]

PMID: 29157269

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Project description:BackgroundBlackflies 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.MethodsBlackflies 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.ResultsIn 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%.ConclusionsIn 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.

Project description:BackgroundDNA barcoding is a valuable taxonomic tool for rapid and accurate species identification and cryptic species discovery in black flies. Indonesia has 143 nominal species of black flies, but information on their biological aspects, including vectorial capacity and biting habits, remains underreported, in part because of identification problems. The current study represents the first comprehensive DNA barcoding of Indonesian black flies using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences.MethodsGenomic DNA of Indonesian black fly samples were extracted and sequenced, producing 86 COI sequences in total. Two hundred four COI sequences, including 118 GenBank sequences, were analysed. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) trees were constructed and species delimitation analyses, including ASAP, GMYC and single PTP, were performed to determine whether the species of Indonesian black flies could be delineated. Intra- and interspecific genetic distances were also calculated and the efficacy of COI sequences for species identification was tested.ResultsThe DNA barcodes successfully distinguished most morphologically distinct species (> 80% of sampled taxa). Nonetheless, high maximum intraspecific distances (3.32-13.94%) in 11 species suggested cryptic diversity. Notably, populations of the common taxa Simulium (Gomphostilbia) cheongi, S. (Gomphostilbia) sheilae, S. (Nevermannia) feuerborni and S. (Simulium) tani in the islands of Indonesia were genetically distinct from those on the Southeast Asian mainland (Malaysia and Thailand). Integrated morphological, cytogenetic and nuclear DNA studies are warranted to clarify the taxonomic status of these more complex taxa.ConclusionsThe findings showed that COI barcoding is a promising taxonomic tool for Indonesian black flies. The DNA barcodes will aid in correct identification and genetic study of Indonesian black flies, which will be helpful in the control and management of potential vector species.

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Dataset Information

Biodiversity, seasonal abundance, and distribution of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in six different regions of Thailand.

Publications

Biodiversity, seasonal abundance, and distribution of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in six different regions of Thailand.

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