Evolution, systematics and historical biogeography of sand flies of the subgenus < i > Paraphlebotomus < /i > (Diptera, Psychodidae, < i > Phlebotomus < /i > ) inferred using restriction-site associated DNA markers

by Astrid Cruaud, V éronique Lehrter, Guenaëlle Genson, Jean-Yves Rasplus, Jérôme Depaquit Phlebotomine sand flies are the main natural vectors ofLeishmania, which cause visceral and tegumentary tropical diseases worldwide. However, their taxonomy and evolutionary history remain poorly studied. Indeed, as for many human disease vectors, their small size is a challenge for morphological and molecular works. Here, we successfully amplified unbiased copies of whole genome to sequence thousands of restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) markers from single specimens of phlebotomines. RAD markers were used to infer a fully resolved phylogeny of the subgenusParaphlebotomus (11 species + 5 outgroups, 32 specimens). The subgenus was not recovered as monophyletic and we describe a new subgenusArtemievus subg. nov. Depaquit forPhlebotomus alexandri. We also confirm the validity ofPh.riouxi which is reinstated as valid species. Our analyses suggest thatParaphlebotomus sensu nov. originatedca 12.9 –8.5 Ma and was possibly largely distributed from peri-Mediterranean to Irano-Turranian regions. Its biogeographical history can be summarized into three phases: i) a first split betweenPh.riouxi +Ph.chabaudi and other species that may have resulted from the rise of the Saharan belt ca 8.5 Ma; ii) a Messinian vicariant event (7.3 –5.3 Ma) during which the prolonged drought could have resulted in the divergence of main lineages; iii) a recent radiation event (3–2 Ma) that correspond to ...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research