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Beyond taxonomy: species complexes in New World phlebotomine sand flies
Author(s) -
SousaPaula L. C. de,
Pessoa F. A. C.,
Otranto D.,
DantasTorres F.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
medical and veterinary entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2915
pISSN - 0269-283X
DOI - 10.1111/mve.12510
Subject(s) - biology , taxonomy (biology) , vector (molecular biology) , species complex , old world , zoology , ecology , arthropod , molecular taxonomy , evolutionary biology , phylogenetic tree , biochemistry , gene , recombinant dna
A species complex (= species group, species series) is an assemblage of species, which are related morphologically and phylogenetically. Recent research has revealed several arthropod vector species that were believed to be a single nominal species actually representing a group of closely related species, which are sometimes morphologically indistinguishable at one or more developmental stages. In some instances, differences in terms of vector competence, capacity, or both have been recorded. It highlights the importance of detecting and studying species complexes to improve our understanding of pathogen transmission patterns, which may be vectored more or less efficiently by different species within the complex. Considering more than 540 species, about one‐third of the phlebotomine sand flies in the New World present males and/or females morphologically indistinguishable to one or more species. Remarkably, several of these species may act in transmission of pathogenic agents. In this article, we review recent research on species complexes in phlebotomine sand flies from the Americas. Possible practical implications of recently acquired knowledge and future research needs are also discussed.