Open AccessUltrastructure of the Antennae and Sensilla of Nyssomyia intermedia (Diptera: Psychodidae), Vector of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Author(s) -
Flávia Gonçalves Fernandes,
Ana Beatriz F. Barletta,
Alessandra S Orfanó,
Luciana Conceição Pinto,
Rafael Nacif-Pimenta,
José Carlos Miranda,
Nágila Francinete Costa Secundino,
Ana C. Bahia,
Paulo Filemon Paolucci Pimenta
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of medical entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1938-2928
pISSN - 0022-2585
DOI - 10.1093/jme/tjaa124
Subject(s) - sensillum , biology , psychodidae , antenna (radio) , anatomy , ultrastructure , zoology , leishmaniasis , telecommunications , computer science , immunology
The antennal sensilla and the antenna of females Nyssomyia intermedia, one of the main vectors of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The main goal was to characterize the quantity, typology, and topography of the sensilla with particular attention to the olfactory types. The insects were captured in the city of Corte de Pedra, State of Bahia, Brazil, by CDC-type light traps and raised in a laboratory as a new colony. Fourteen well-differentiated sensilla were identified, among six cuticular types: trichoidea, campaniformia, squamiformia, basiconica, chaetica, and coeloconica. Of these, six sensilla were classified as olfactory sensilla due to their specific morphological features. Smaller noninnervated pilosities of microtrichiae type were also evidenced by covering all antennal segments. The antennal segments differ in shapes and sizes, and the amount and distribution of types and subtypes of sensilla. This study may foment future taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis for a better evolutionary understanding of the sand flies. Besides, it may assist the targeting of future electrophysiological studies by Single Sensillum Recording, and aim to develop alternative measures of monitoring and control of this vector.