Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) are the principal vectors of Leishmania spp. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) worldwide. The subgenus Adlerius is taxonomically challenging and currently comprises about 20 species with a wide geographic distribution from eastern Asia to southeastern Europe. Some species are confirmed or suspected vectors of Leishmania donovani/infantum, L. major, and L. tropica, and are thus of high medical and veterinary relevance. A single record of Phlebotomus (Adlerius) simici in Austria from 2018 marks its sporadic northernmost and westernmost occurrence, with the origin of its appearance remaining unclear. To better understand Adlerius diversification and particularly post-glacial spread of Ph. simici to northern parts of Europe, we combined phylogenetic analyses with climatic suitability modelling. Divergence time estimates well supported the currently observed geographic distribution of the studied species and revealed several taxonomic challenges in the subgenus. We clearly delineated three distinct genetic and geographic Ph. simici lineages and phylogeographically assessed diversification that were well supported by climatic models. This study provides a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the subgenus Adlerius, enhancing our understanding of the diversification in relation to changing climate of this understudied group, and we present new insights into the post-glacial spread of Ph. simici, a suspected vector of L. infantum.

• Keywords
• Adlerius, COI, Central Europe, Divergence time, Phylogeography,
• MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Phylogeography MeSH
• Insect Vectors * genetics   classification   parasitology   MeSH
• Phlebotomus * genetics   classification   MeSH
• Climate * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are the principal vectors of Leishmania spp. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae). In Central Europe, Phlebotomus mascittii is the predominant species, but largely understudied. To better understand factors driving its current distribution, we infer patterns of genetic diversity by testing for signals of population expansion based on two mitochondrial genes and model current and past climate and habitat suitability for seven post-glacial maximum periods, taking 19 climatic variables into account. Consequently, we elucidate their connections by environmental-geographical network analysis. Most analyzed populations share a main haplotype tracing back to a single glacial maximum refuge area on the Mediterranean coasts of South France, which is supported by network analysis. The rapid range expansion of Ph. mascittii likely started in the early mid-Holocene epoch until today and its spread possibly followed two routes. The first one was through northern France to Germany and then Belgium, and the second across the Ligurian coast through present-day Slovenia to Austria, toward the northern Balkans. Here we present a combined approach to reveal glacial refugia and post-glacial spread of Ph. mascittii and observed discrepancies between the modelled and the current known distribution might reveal yet overlooked populations and potential further spread.

• MeSH
• Insect Vectors genetics   MeSH
• Leishmania * MeSH
• Phlebotomus * genetics   MeSH
• Psychodidae * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH

BACKGROUND: Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are important vectors of various human and animal pathogens such as Bartonella bacilliformis, Phlebovirus, and parasitic protozoa of the genus Leishmania, causative agent of leishmaniases that account among most significant vector-borne diseases. The Maghreb countries Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya occupy a vast area of North Africa and belong to most affected regions by these diseases. Locally varying climatic and ecological conditions support diverse sand fly fauna that includes many proven or suspected vectors. The aim of this review is to summarize often fragmented information and to provide an updated list of sand fly species of the Maghreb region with illustration of species-specific morphological features and maps of their reported distribution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature search focused on scholar databases to review information on the sand fly species distribution and their role in the disease transmissions in Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, surveying sources from the period between 1900 and 2020. Reported distribution of each species was collated using Google Earth, and distribution maps were drawn using ArcGIS software. Morphological illustrations were compiled from various published sources. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In total, 32 species of the genera Phlebotomus (Ph.) and Sergentomyia (Se.) were reported in the Maghreb region (15 from Libya, 18 from Tunisia, 23 from Morocco, 24 from Algeria, and 9 from Mauritania). Phlebotomus mariae and Se. africana subsp. asiatica were recorded only in Morocco, Ph. mascitti, Se. hirtus, and Se. tiberiadis only in Algeria, whereas Ph. duboscqi, Se. dubia, Se. africana africana, Se. lesleyae, Se. magna, and Se. freetownensis were reported only from Mauritania. Our review has updated and summarized the geographic distribution of 26 species reported so far in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, excluding Mauritania from a detailed analysis due to the unavailability of accurate distribution data. In addition, morphological differences important for species identification are summarized with particular attention to closely related species such as Ph. papatasi and Ph. bergeroti, Ph. chabaudi, and Ph. riouxi, and Se. christophersi and Se. clydei.

• MeSH
• Insect Vectors microbiology   parasitology   virology   MeSH
• Communicable Diseases epidemiology   transmission   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Psychodidae microbiology   parasitology   virology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Systematic Review MeSH
• Geographicals
• Africa, Northern epidemiology   MeSH

BACKGROUND: Sand flies are principal vectors of the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and are widely distributed in all warmer regions of the world, including the Mediterranean parts of Europe. In Central European countries, the sand fly fauna is still under investigation. Phlebotomus mascittii, a suspected but unproven vector of Leishmania infantum, is regarded as the most widely distributed species in Europe. However, many aspects of its biology and ecology remain poorly known. The aim of this study was to provide new data on the biology and ecology of Ph. mascittii in Austria to better understand its current distribution and potential dispersal. METHODS: Sand flies were collected by CDC light traps at four localities in Austria for 11 (2018) and 15 weeks (2019) during the active sand fly season. Climatic parameters (temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure and wind speed) were retrospectively obtained for the trapping periods. Sand flies were identified by a combined approach (morphology, DNA barcoding, MALDI-TOF protein profiling), and blood meals of engorged females were analysed by DNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In total, 450 individuals of Ph. mascittii were caught. Activity was observed to start at the beginning of June and end at the end of August with peaks in mid-July at three locations and early August at one location. Increased activity was associated with relatively high temperatures and humidity. Also, more individuals were caught on nights with low barometric pressure. Analysis of five identified blood meals revealed chicken (Gallus gallus) and equine (Equus spp.) hosts. Sand fly abundance was generally associated with availability of hosts. CONCLUSION: This study reports unexpectedly high numbers of Ph. mascittii at selected Austrian localities and provides the first detailed analysis of its ecology to date. Temperature and humidity were shown to be good predictors for sand fly activity. Blood meal analyses support the assumption that Ph. mascittii feeds on mammals as well as birds. The study significantly contributes to understanding the ecology of this sand fly species in Central Europe and facilitates prospective entomological surveys.

• Keywords
• Blood meal, Central Europe, Climate, MALDI-TOF, Phlebotomine sand fly,
• MeSH
• Ecology * MeSH
• Insect Vectors * parasitology   MeSH
• Horses MeSH
• Chickens MeSH
• Leishmania infantum MeSH
• Phlebotomus * genetics   MeSH
• Psychodidae MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Seasons * MeSH
• Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
• Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH
• Austria MeSH

BACKGROUND: Phlebotomine sand flies are the principal vectors of Leishmania spp. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae). Information on sand flies in Central Europe is scarce and, to date, in Austria, only Phlebotomus mascittii has been recorded. In 2018 and 2019, entomological surveys were conducted in Austria with the aim to further clarify sand fly distribution and species composition. RESULTS: In 2019, a Ph. simici specimen was trapped in Austria for the first time. Analyses of two commonly used marker genes, cytochrome c oxidase I (coxI) and cytochrome b (cytb), revealed high sequence identity with Ph. simici specimens from North Macedonia and Greece. Phylogenetic analyses showed high intraspecific distances within Ph. simici, thereby dividing this species into three lineages: one each from Europe, Turkey and Israel. Low interspecific distances between Ph. simici, Ph. brevis and an as yet unidentified Adlerius sp. from Turkey and Armenia highlight how challenging molecular identification within the Adlerius complex can be, even when standard marker genes are applied. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this study reports the first finding of Ph. simici in Austria, representing the northernmost recording of this species to date. Moreover, it reveals valuable insights into the phylogenetic relationships among species within the subgenus Adlerius. Phlebotomus simici is a suspected vector of L. infantum and therefore of medical and veterinary importance. Potential sand fly expansion in Central Europe due to climatic change and the increasing import of Leishmania-infected dogs from endemic areas support the need for further studies on sand fly distribution in Austria and Central Europe in general.

• Keywords
• Adlerius, Central europe, Leishmania infantum, Phlebotomine sand fly, Refugial area,
• MeSH
• Cytochromes b genetics   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Insect Vectors classification   genetics   MeSH
• Genes, Insect MeSH
• Disease Vectors MeSH
• Classification MeSH
• Leishmaniasis, Visceral transmission   MeSH
• Phlebotomus * classification   genetics   MeSH
• Psychodidae * classification   genetics   MeSH
• Electron Transport Complex IV genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Australia MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Cytochromes b MeSH
• Electron Transport Complex IV MeSH

Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) are blood-feeding insects that transmit the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and various arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses. While in Mediterranean parts of Europe the sand fly fauna is diverse, in Central European countries including Austria mainly Phlebotomus mascittii is found, an assumed but unproven vector of Leishmania infantum. To update the currently understudied sand fly distribution in Austria, a sand fly survey was performed and other entomological catches were screened for sand flies. Seven new trapping locations of Ph. mascittii are reported including the first record in Vienna, representing also one of the first findings of this species in a city. Morphological identification, supported by fluorescence microscopy, was confirmed by two molecular approaches, including sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) protein profiling. Sand fly occurrence and activity were evaluated based on surveyed locations, habitat requirements and climatic parameters. Moreover, a first comparison of European Ph. mascittii populations was made by two marker genes, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), and cytochrome b (cytb), as well as MALDI-TOF mass spectra. Our study provides new important records of Ph. mascittii in Austria and valuable data for prospective entomological surveys. MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling was shown to be a reliable tool for differentiation between sand fly species. Rising temperatures and globalization demand for regular entomological surveys to monitor changes in species distribution and composition. This is also important with respect to the possible vector competence of Ph. mascittii.

• Keywords
• Central Europe, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, Transphlebotomus, autoimmunofluorescence, genotyping, leishmaniasis,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: The Greek island of Crete is endemic for both visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and recently increasing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This study summarizes published data on the sand fly fauna of Crete, the results of new sand fly samplings and the description of a new sand fly species. METHODS: All published and recent samplings were carried out using CDC light traps, sticky traps or mouth aspirators. The specific status of Phlebotomus (Adlerius) creticus n. sp., was assessed by morphological analysis, cytochrome b (cytb) sequencing and MALDI-TOF protein profiling. RESULTS: Published data revealed the presence of 10 Phlebotomus spp. and 2 Sergentomyia spp. During presented field work, 608 specimens of 8 species of Phlebotomus and one species of Sergentomyia were collected. Both published data and present samplings revealed that the two most common and abundant species were Phlebotomus neglectus, a proven vector of Leishmania infantum causing VL, and Ph. similis, a suspected vector of L. tropica causing CL. In addition, the field surveys revealed the presence of a new species, Ph. (Adlerius) creticus n. sp. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of the newly described species is based on both molecular and morphological criteria, showing distinct characters of the male genitalia that differentiate it from related species of the subgenus Adlerius as well as species-specific sequence of cytb and protein spectra generated by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

• Keywords
• Crete, Greece, Phlebotominae, Phlebotomus (Adlerius) creticus n. sp., Sand fly fauna,
• MeSH
• Species Specificity MeSH
• Insect Vectors physiology   MeSH
• Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous transmission   MeSH
• Leishmaniasis, Visceral transmission   MeSH
• Phlebotomus anatomy & histology   classification   physiology   MeSH
• Psychodidae anatomy & histology   classification   parasitology   MeSH
• Seasons MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Greece MeSH

A large-scale entomological survey was carried out in summer 2016 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It revealed, for the first time, the presence of the phlebotomine sand fly Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908 (Diptera: Phlebotominae) in south-western Slovakia. Species identification of a captured female was confirmed by both morphological and sequencing (COI) analyses.

Une enquête entomologique à grande échelle a été réalisée durant l'été 2016 en République Tchèque et en Slovaquie. Elle a révélé, pour la première fois, la présence de Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) mascittii Grassi, 1908 (Diptera : Phlebotominae) dans le sud-ouest de la Slovaquie. Une femelle a été capturée et son identification repose sur des caractères morphologiques et moléculaires (COI).

• MeSH
• DNA chemistry   MeSH
• Insect Vectors genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Phlebotomus genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
• Electron Transport Complex IV genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Slovakia MeSH
• Names of Substances
• DNA MeSH
• Electron Transport Complex IV MeSH