Three Taxa in One: Cryptic Diversity in the Black Fly Simulium nobile (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Southeast Asia

We access the molecular diversity of the black fly Simulium nobile De Mejiere, using the universal cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) barcoding gene, across its distributional range in Southeast Asia. Our phylogenetic analyses recovered three well-supported mitochondrial lineages of S. nobile, suggesting the presence of cryptic species. Lineage A is composed of a population from Sabah, East Malaysia (Borneo); lineage B represents the type population from Java, Indonesia; and lineage C includes populations from the mainland of Southeast Asia (Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand). The genetic variation of lineage C on the mainland is greater than that of lineages A and B on the islands of Borneo and Java. Our study highlights the value of a molecular approach in assessing species status of simuliids in geographically distinct regions.

Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - June 29, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Low, V. L., Takaoka, H., Pramual, P., Adler, P. H., Yacob, Z., Chen, C. D., Yotopranoto, S., Zaid, A., Hadi, U. K., Lardizabal, M. L., Nasruddin-Roshidi, A., Sofian-Azirun, M. Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research