Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2004 | Volume: 7 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 58-62
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2004.58.62

New Record of Sergentomyia murghabiensis Perfiliev (1939) from Pakistan (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae)

Juma-Khan Kakarsulemankhel

Abstract: During entomological surveys conducted by the author in the whole of the Balochistan Province during 1996-2001, Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) murghabiensis Perfiliev (1939) was collected (N= 17) from 6 localities. These localities appear to be the new record of this species in the literature to date. This is to the author`s knowledge the first record of this species from Pakistan. Taxonomic characters not described by earlier workers are described and illustrated. Differential diagnosis of this species with its closest allies is also given. Results are compared with the published data of this species available in the existing literature.

Keywords: taxonomic characters, Sergentomyia murghabiensis and sandfly

INTRODUCTION

In a collection form Arpaklen ravine (Kara Kala District,Turkmenistan), Perfiliev, (1933) found & sandflies and described them briefly as P. minutus var. arpaklensis. Perfiliev (1939) explained that a species identical with P. minutus as described by Adler and Theodor (1927) does not occur in central Asia. The central Asian sandflies considered to belong to this species were described as P. minutus var. arpaklensis. However, Pringle (1953) managed to collect in small numbers of an interesting new species of sandflies from outskirts of Baghdad city and in few other localities in central Iraq and he described them as a new species. Pringle (1953) observed that the arrangement of cibarial teeth in the female of this species resembled the form regarded by Sinton (1932) as P. minutus Rondani from Pakistan. The male also resembled that was described as P. minutus Rondani by Sinton (1933). Thus, Pringle (1953) concluded that the Iraqi material belonged to the same species as that was previously, wrongly named by Sinton as minutus Rondani and in recognition of the important studies on the taxonomy of sandflies carried out by Brigadier Sinton, the species was named after that worker, as Sergentomyia sintoni sp. n. Artemiev (1978) treated S. sintoni Pringle (1953) as a synonyms of S. s. murghabiensis Perfiliev (1939). Theodor and Mesghali (1964) while studying sandflies of Iran, discussed S. dentata arpaklensis Perfiliev and considered it as a sub species of S. dentata and gave illustrations of cibarial armature. Perfiliev (1968) pointed out that the drawings of the cibarial armture given by Theodor and Mesghali (1964) differs considerably from his drawings of the buccal teeth of S. arpaklensis and he concluded that S. arpaklensis should be considered as a valid species. Lewis (1967) reported S. dentata arpaklensis Perfiliev from a few localities of Pakistan, except Balochistan. Unfortunately, Lewis (1967) did not furnish detail description of S. dentata arpaklensis nor gave its illustrations, therefore Balochistan specimens cannot be compared. Artemiev (1978) while describing sandflies from Afghanistan did not mention the distribution of S. murghabiensis from Pakistan and considered P. minutus var. arpaklensis Perfiliev (1933) as P. murghabiensis Perfiliev (1939) which was described from 3 & collected in uninhabited areas near the Murghab River (Turkmenistan) and he treated the species as S. s. murghabiensis Perfiliev (1939). The present author follows Artemiev’s views. However, characters like number and position of papillae on antennal segments, mouth parts like hypopharynx, mandible, maxillae, measurements of spermathecae, furca, genital atrium, style, paramere, aedeagus and surstyle were not recorded. In view of the insufficient descriptions of Perfiliev and Artemiev (loc. cit.), this species is redescribed in detail.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Flies were collected, processed, preserved, dissected and mounted according to the conventional methods especially those adopted by Johnson et al. (1963), Lewis (1973), Killick-Kendrick (1983), Lawyer et al. (1991) and Killick-Kendrick et al. (1994). For species identification, keys supplied by Perfiliev (1968) and Artemiev (1978) were taken into consideration. All the diagrams are drawn with the help of camera lucida and are to the given scales. Measurements are in millimeter unless otherwise indicated.

Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) murghabiensis Perfiliev (1939)
(Text-Figs. 1 and 2 and Table 1)
Female: (5 specimens examined) (Fig. 1). Head 0.272-0.288 mm long, 0.256-0.28 mm broad, Eye 0.144-0.16 mm long, 0.088-0.096 mm broad and distance between eyes 0.072-0.08 mm.

Wing (Fig. 1A) 1.28-1.30 mm long, 0.28-0.30 mm broad, α=0.096-0.10 mm long, β=0.23-0.24 mm, δ=0.04 mm, but in one specimens from Turbat, δ is measured to be zero, γ=0.24-0.25 mm, π=0.04-0.064 mm, Alar index=0.41. Palp (Fig. 1B) 0.045 mm long, palpal ratio,1:2.25:3.75:3.50:7.5 and formula 1,2,4,3,5, with ten to 25 spatulate Newstead=s sensillae in middle third of segment III. Proboscis 0.14-0.16 mm long. A3 (Fig. 1C) 0.084-0.11 mm long, 0.06-0.08x length of head, 0.6-0.69x length of proboscis, 0.84-1.1x length of labrum,0.807-0.93x length of A4+5, ascoid on A3 0.02-0.022 mm long, 0.2-0.24x length of segment. A4 (Fig. 1D,lower) 0.052-0.06 mm long, ascoid on A4 0.02-0.024 mm long, 0.38-0.4x length of segment. A5 (Fig. 1D,upper) 0.052-0.058 mm long, ascoid on A5 0.02-0.024 mm long, 0.384-0.413x length of segment. Antennal segments III an IV have a single prominent papilla but in few specimens A3 has two also, on AIII it is usually near the base and tip of the ascoid whereas on AIV it is always near the tip of the ascoid. AIII is shorter than AIV + AV (about x0.76-0.93). The positions of the papillae on the segments are: AIII, 0.63, AIV, 0.68. The positions of the ascoids on the segments are: AIII, 0.66, AIV, 0.31, AV, 0.33. There are two ascoids on segments III to XV. Labrum (Fig. 1E) 0.10 (0.11-0.12) mm long, 0.017 mm broad, apex with 4-5 closely packed sensillae, a sensilla depth 0.032 mm. Hypopharynx (Fig. 1F) 0.012 mm broad, with pointed fine apex, about 14 lateral undulations, a dental depth of 0.028 mm. Mandible (Fig. 1G) narrow, 0.008 mm broad, with 8 teeth per 0.008 mm, a dental depth of 0.056 mm. Maxilla (Fig. 1H) 0.01 mm broad, with three lateral and 31 ventral teeth, 5 teeth per 0.008 mm, a dental depth of 0.064 mm. Cibarium (Fig. 1I) 0.038-0.044 mm broad with 16-20 almost uniform teeth (about 0.004 mm long) arranged on a slightly curved arc (Fig. 1J) on the back ground of teeth a dark pigmented patch (0.024 mm long and 0.016 mm broad) (Fig. 1K) with a short forward extension. Pharynx (Fig. 1L) 0.125 (0.12-0.133) mm long, much dilated posteriorly, length about 2.02 times greatest breadth which is about 2.82 times the width of narrow anterior armature yellow pigmented occupies the posterior 0.32-0.35 of the pharynx. The anterior edge of armature forms a sharply curved line. Anterior armature is in the form of rather big pigmented teeth (about 0.024 mm long) and posterior part of armature (a patch of about 0.02 mm broad) composed of numerous small punctiform denticles. Basal border of pharynx straight or slightly concave. Spermathecae (Fig. 1M) capsule more rounded, 0.028 mm long, 0.026 mm broad, individual duct (Fig. 1N) 0.048 mm long, 0.018 mm broad, open into a common duct (Fig. 1O) 0.028 mm broad, furca (Fig. 1P) 0.08 mm long and genital atrium (Fig. 1Q) 0.048 mm broad.

Male: (6 specimens examined) (Fig. 2). Head 0.296 mm long, 0.304 mm broad, Eye 0.152 mm long, 0.088 mm broad, distance between eyes 0.128 mm. Wing (Fig. 2A) 1.04 -1.10 mm long, 0.208-0.22 mm broad, α=0.064-0.08 mm, β=0.184-0.20 mm long, δ=0.024-0.04 mm, γ=0.256-0.28 mm, π=0.032-0.040, alar index=0.347-0.4. Palp (Fig. 2B) total length 0.44 mm long, palp formula 1,2,3-4,5 and palp ratio 1:2.96:5:5:10.5. Proboscis 0.14 mm long. A3 (Fig. 2C) 0.11-0.12 long, ascoid=0.018-0.020 mm long, position of ascoid on A3=0.636-0.666, ascoid 3/A3=0.163-0.166, position of a papilla on A3=0.818-0.833. A4 (Fig. 2D,lower) 0.070-0.08 mm long, ascoid 0.018-0.02 mm long, position of ascoid on A4=0.25-0.28, ascoid 4/A4=0.25, position of a papilla on A4=0.65-0.87. A5 (Fig. 2D, upper) 0.076-0.082 mm long, ascoid 0.018-0.02 mm long, position of ascoid on A5=0.24-0.31, ascoid 5/A5=0.23-0.24, position of a papilla on A5=0.58 (N=2). There is a single ascoid on antenna III to XV. A3/labrum=1.0-1.1, A3/A4+5=0.74-0.753. Labrum (Fig. 2E) 0.10-0.12 mm long and a sensilla depth 0.032 mm. Hypopharynx (Fig. 2F) 0.014 mm broad, apex pointed and a dental depth 0.028 mm. Maxilla (Fig. 2G) smooth.

Cibarium (Fig. 2H) 0.04-0.046 mm broad, chitinous arch weakly developed, cibarium with about 11-15 uniform small teeth arranged in al slightly concave line. Pharynx (Fig. 2I) 0.12 mm long and is about 3.15 times as long as broad and its widest posterior portion is not quite 1.46 times as wide as the narrowest anterior part. There is no marked posterior dilation of pharynx. The pharyngeal armature occupies 0.23 of the pharynx. The armature is weak and consists of series of transverse lines. The spines at the lateral and posterior part are slender and weak while the more central ones are relatively stout. Male terminalia: Coxite (Fig. 2J) 0.20-0.21 mm long 0.06-0.064 mm broad, coxite/A3=1.75-1.81, coxite/labrum=1.75-2.0, coxite/style=2.25-2.5. Style (Fig. 2K) 0.08 mm long and 0.020-.024 mm broad, with 2 apical spines and two sub apical spines at 0.75 of the style, spines are longer than the style, (about 0.09-0.10 mm long). The tips of spines are usually spatulate. A short seta (0.02 mm long) at 0.80 of the style. Paramere (Fig. 2L) 0.12-0.13 mm long (base 0.03-0.038 mm broad) and extends up to 0.75 of the length of paramere, length of neck is about 0.25 of the paramere and is 0.01 mm broad, paramere with rounded ends. Aedeagus (Fig. 2M) 0.08 mm-0.09 mm long both halves of aedeagus united (0.014 mm broad) with a slight apical notch at 0.95 of the aedeagus, base of the aedeagus not bulbous. Genital filament 0.18-0.26 mm log and filament to pump ratio of 2.25-3.25, filament smooth (Fig. 2N). Surstyle (Fig. 2O) 0.16-0.18 mm long, about 0.80-0.85 of the coxite.

Distribution: Balochistan. New Record Present survey: Bela, Kahan, Khuzdar, Nana saheb ziarat, Tump, Turbat. These localities are important foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Flies were collected from indoors using sucking tubes and sticky traps. Afghanistan: Northern and western Afghanistan (Artemiev, 1978). Iran: Northern Iran (called as S. sintoni, Theodor and Mesghali, 1964). Turkmenistan (Perfiliev, 1968).

Differential Diagnosis of S. murghabiensis: A slightly greater wing length (1.28-1.36 mm) and antenna 3(0.084-0.11 mm long), ascoid 4/A4=0.38-0.40), a slightly shorter cibarium breadth, 16-18 large uniform teeth fused or placed at some distance with short points on a line slightly convex anteriorly, base of the pharynx 3 times as greater as apex, straight base of pharynx and tubular spermathecae are important diagnostic characters in the identification of & S. murghabiensis. However, % of this species can be identified on the bases of taxonomic characters like pharyngeal armature occupies 0.23 of the pharynx, coxite/A3=1.75-1.81,aedeagus with an apical notch at 0.95 of the aedeagus and base of aedeagus not bulbous and genital filament /pump=2.25-3.25.

The species differs from the other species of the subgenus Sergentomyia recorded during the present study as follows:

S. theodori pashtunica (&) has a less shorter A3 (0.090-0.096 mm long), a slightly larger labrum (0.12-0.13 mm long), a shorter ratio of ascoids 4/A4 (0.37), different cibarial armature (17-20 teeth arranged on an arch, 7-8 smaller central teeth and 5-6 larger lateral teeth), base of the pharynx 3.14 times as wide as apex, base of the pharynx without median notch, spermathecae tubular, 0.032 mm long, 0.016 mm broad.

DISCUSSION

The morphometric measurements of some taxonomic characters of S. murghabiensis from Pakistan show considerable morphological differences and similarities when compared with the published data of this species and its synonyms from other territories (Table 1). Pakistani specimens of S. murghabiensis (&) are observed having a slightly shorter wing as compared with the specimens of S. arpaklensis Perfiliev (1933) form Turkmenistan. Similarly, A3 and labrum are measured slightly shorter as compared with specimens of S. arpaklensis Perfiliev, (1933) and S. murghabiensis Perfiliev (1939).

Pakistani specimens of S. murghabiensis are found in full accord with the published data of the specimens of S. arpaklensis and S. murghabiensis both from Turkmenistan in diagnostic characters as A3<A4+5, ascoids on A4 is quite less than 1/3 the length of the segment, arrangement and shape of cibarial teeth, base of pharynx about twice as wide as apex and shape of pharyngeal teeth as well as morphology of spermathecal capsule. S. murghabiensis (%) from Pakistan have a relatively shorter wing, A3 and coxite as compared with those Afghanistan and S. arpaklensis from Central Asia. However, Pakistani specimens of S. murghabiensis resemble with that of S. arpaklensis of Central Asia in taxonomic characters like ascoid4/A4, A3<A4+5, shorter surstyle than coxite and in morphology of cibarium, pharynx, style, paramere and aedeagus. It also resembles with S. murghabiensis from Afghanistan in characters like labrum, A3/laburm, coxite/A3, coxite/labrum, arrangement of spines on style, ventral seta of style very close to sub apical spine, length of spine of style, shorter style than coxite and in the shape of paramere and aedeagus.

The present study revealed that Sergentomyia murghabiensis is a rare species (17/2013, 0.84%) and has a wide but discontinous distribution in Balochistan occurring in a wide variety of climatic regions from warm to semi-cold. Being mainly a Central Asian species it has spread along Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and south-western Pakistan. Its distribution in Pakistan may represent south-eastern limit of its range.

There are no published reports incriminating S. murghabiensis, which is thought to be thermophilic, hydrophilic and a main vector of reptilian leishmaniasis from lizard to lizard (Artemiev,1978) and presumably plays no part in transmitting Leishmania to man.

REFERENCES