Electrophoretic and morphological differentiation between two sympatric species of Adlerius: Phlebotomus brevis and Phlebotomus simici (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Abstract

Phlebotomus simici Theodor and P. brevis Artemiev & Dergacheva are closely related species in the subgenus Adlerius that only may be identified by the male terminalia. Females only may be differentiated by collecting them in copula. Because females of P. simici may be involved in Leishmania transmission, their identity should be verified. Our study separated individuals from 2 sympatric populations in Lebanon by means of agarose enzyme electrophoresis. Differential patterns were found at the PGM and HK loci. Results were confirmed by morphological reexamination of female spermathecae and pharyngeal armature.