Journal of Medical Entomology (2019) 56, 697-707

From Pestinfo-Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search

O.F. Mikery, E.A. Rebollar-Téllez, L.C. Cruz-López, C.F. Marina and A. Castillo (2019)
Traditional and geometric morphometry analyses of Lutzomyia cruciata (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) populations of Chiapas, Mexico
Journal of Medical Entomology 56 (3), 697-707
Abstract: The presence of Lutzomyia (Tricholateralis) cruciata (Coquillett 1907) species complex has been suggested by morphological analysis of eggs and genetic studies of females. The present work aimed to compare the diversity in morphology of four populations of Lu. cruciata from the Coast of Chiapas, Mexico, using traditional (TM) and geometric (GM) methods. Several morphological characteristics that were analyzed provided consistency to differentiate at least, three populations of Lu. cruciata. Both methods were effective to detect morphological differences associated with the geographical sites of capture. In both sexes, three and four groups were detected by TM and GM, respectively. These results suggest marked morphological differences in both sexes of Lu. cruciata that make these methods potentially useful to identify the geographical origin of any specimen of this species captured in the study region. Although the results produced by both methods are coincident, geometric morphometrics turned out to be most advantageous with respect to traditional morphometry, since the latter requires more time and effort. The consistency of our results shows that the variability of environmental conditions on the coast of Chiapas determines a high degree of phenotypic plasticity in Lu. cruciata, with the possibility of prezygotic isolation and the formation of species complex.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Leopoldo Cruz-López

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution


Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial Pest/Disease/Weed Crop/Product Country Quarant.


Lutzomyia cruciata Mexico