Lutzomyia pseudolongipalpis:The First New Species Within thelongipalpis(Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) Complex from La Rinconada, Curarigua, Lara State, Venezuela

Abstract

Lutzomyia pseudolongipalpis, the first new sand fly species within the longipalpis complex, is described based on females and males from La Rinconada, Curarigua, Lara State, Venezuela. Similar to Lutzomyia longipalpis sensu lato, females of the new species show spermathecae with 8-10 annulations and cibarial armature with 8-12 horizontal teeth. However, L. pseudolongipalpis females show conspicuous vertical cibarial teeth, large stipites and wing vein sections, round cerci, and short and broad valvifers that separate them from L. longipalpis s. l. females. L. pseudolongipalpis and L. longipalpis s. l. males are isomorphic, both having parameres with two curved setae on a simple tubercle. The analysis of morphometric characters and their diagnostic value is in progress.

Lutzomyia longipalpis and the eco-epidemiology of American visceral leishmaniasis, with particular reference to Brazil: a review

“…Further evidence for the presence of cryptic species within a Lu. longipalpis complex has been provided by numerous other workers (Dujardin et al 1997, Lampo et al 1999, Uribe, 1999, Yin et al 1999, Arrivillaga & Feliciangeli 2001, Soto et al 2001, Arrivillaga et al 2002.…”

“…longipalpis "…..is a highly polymorphic and geographically variable species, but not a species complex" (Bauzer et al 2002). Arrivillaga and Feliciangeli (2001), however, gave the name of Lutzomyia pseudolongipalpis to a sandfly in Venezuela. The adults are apparently morphologically indistinguishable from those of Lu.…”

Phylogeography of the neotropical sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

“…2) Analysis of mtDNA haplotypes from the Laran (29 apomorphic characters) and Brazilian Clades (11 apomorphic characters) suggest they are monophyletic and strongly support phylogenetic species status for each. We refer to the Laran Clade as species B, which was recently recognized taxonomically as L. pseudolongipalpis Arrivillaga and Feliciangeli (2001). The Brazilian Clade we refer to as species A, and will probably be designated the nominal species in the L. longipalpis complex when the taxonomy of the group is formalized.…”

Relationships of new world Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) based on fossil evidence

“…from different regions of Brazil that bear one or two pairs of abdominal spots suggest that speciation was recent, occurring between 0.22 and 1.02 myr ago (Bauzer et al 2002). Sufficient morphological diversity has occurred to create new species, as in Venezuelan populations recently described as L. pseudolongipalpis (Arrivillaga & Feliciangeli 2001).…”