Taxonomic studies based on phlebotomine (diptera:psychodidae) sandflies in leishmaniasis endemic areas of kenya

Abstract

Investigations were initiated to separate two groups of vector sibling species of Kenya whose females were morphologically identical. Phlebotomus pedifer was indist inguishable from P. acu lea tus. P. mar tini was indistinguishable from P. celiae and P. vansomeranae.The only clue to their identity was in the male terminalia. These studies also set out to provide an up to date taxonomic information of the sand flies of Kenya. Three aspects were investigated to enable identification of the sibling species. These were biochemical studies using thin layer starch gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing on agarose. Micro morphological studies by the use of the scanning electron microscope to study the exochorion structure of eggs laid by these females, and morphological studies to investigate possible differences in the morphology of fourth instar larvae reared from eggs laid by these females.P pedifer was shown to be biochemically different from P. aculeatus. P. aculeatus was also shown to have two morphologically different forms corresponding to different locations. There was a biochemical indication t nat P. uc n e ome rc na e -rnay l:e bi.ochemi.cally differen t from P. n.c r t i n i and P. c e l ia e , Exochorion structures of the eggs of P. p e d i fe r and t>, a c u l ea t u e den.on st r-a t ed both interspecific and intraspecific variations. P. ma~tini eggs demonstrated the latter variation. Larval morphology revealed minor differences between P. pedife~ and P. aculeatus. The larval morphology of P. ma~tini is represented. The taxonomy of Kenyan sandflies is provided with descriptions and identification keys to identify males and females of Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. Notes on the habitat, economic importance if any and general distribution of the species in Kenya is included