Molecular identification of blood meal sources in black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) suspected as leucocytozoon vectors. 2020

Pairot Pramual, and Jiraporn Thaijarern, and Ubon Tangkawanit, and Komgrit Wongpakam
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand. Electronic address: pairot.p@msu.ac.th.

Identification of the host blood meal of hematophagous insects can provide significant information regarding host preferences and the possibility of the transmission of disease agents. Currently, this knowledge is limited for black flies in the Oriental region. In this study, we used cytochrome b gene sequences for identification of blood meal sources of two black fly taxa, the Simulium asakoae complex and S. chumpornense Takaoka & Kuvangkadilok in Thailand. A total of 4,260 wild adult females were visually screened revealing 24 blood-engorged females from which cytochrome b was successfully amplified in 19 individuals. Comparisons in GenBank database revealed that all are closest to chicken (Gallus gallus) with sequence similarity of >98%. Therefore, these black fly species are feeding on chickens. We also molecularly investigated the hemosporidian blood protozoa genus Leucocytozoon in black flies and found 13 of 19 blood-engorged females positive for this protozoon. Sequence analysis revealed that this Leucocytozoon DNA could be assigned into two previously recognized groups, one with a Leucocytozoon reported from domestic chickens and black flies in Thailand, and another close to the L. schoutedeni. Our results indicate a high possibility that the S. asakoae complex and S. chumpornense are natural vectors of Leucocytozoon.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007303 Insect Vectors Insects that transmit infective organisms from one host to another or from an inanimate reservoir to an animate host. Insect Vector,Vector, Insect,Vectors, Insect
D002645 Chickens Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA. Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012843 Simuliidae A family of insects in the order DIPTERA, which include black flies, buffalo gnats and simulies. Several species are intermediate hosts (vectors) for the parasitic disease ONCHOCERCIASIS. Black Flies,Simulium,Blackflies,Black Fly,Blackfly,Flies, Black,Fly, Black,Simuliums
D016787 Haemosporida An order of heteroxenous protozoa in which the macrogamete and microgamont develop independently. A conoid is usually absent. Haemosporina,Haemosporidas,Haemosporinas
D045303 Cytochromes b Cytochromes of the b group that have alpha-band absorption of 563-564 nm. They occur as subunits in MITOCHONDRIAL ELECTRON TRANSPORT COMPLEX III. Cytochrome b,Apocytochrome b

Related Publications

Pairot Pramual, and Jiraporn Thaijarern, and Ubon Tangkawanit, and Komgrit Wongpakam
July 1991, Journal of medical entomology,
Pairot Pramual, and Jiraporn Thaijarern, and Ubon Tangkawanit, and Komgrit Wongpakam
April 2022, Parasitology international,
Pairot Pramual, and Jiraporn Thaijarern, and Ubon Tangkawanit, and Komgrit Wongpakam
February 2019, Acta tropica,
Pairot Pramual, and Jiraporn Thaijarern, and Ubon Tangkawanit, and Komgrit Wongpakam
April 1975, Journal of medical entomology,
Pairot Pramual, and Jiraporn Thaijarern, and Ubon Tangkawanit, and Komgrit Wongpakam
July 1993, Biochemical and biophysical research communications,
Pairot Pramual, and Jiraporn Thaijarern, and Ubon Tangkawanit, and Komgrit Wongpakam
May 1984, Journal of morphology,
Pairot Pramual, and Jiraporn Thaijarern, and Ubon Tangkawanit, and Komgrit Wongpakam
April 1981, Journal of medical entomology,
Pairot Pramual, and Jiraporn Thaijarern, and Ubon Tangkawanit, and Komgrit Wongpakam
May 1986, Journal of medical entomology,
Pairot Pramual, and Jiraporn Thaijarern, and Ubon Tangkawanit, and Komgrit Wongpakam
May 2022, Journal of medical entomology,
Pairot Pramual, and Jiraporn Thaijarern, and Ubon Tangkawanit, and Komgrit Wongpakam
January 2024, Insects,
Copied contents to your clipboard!