Genetic variability among populations of the sand fly Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis (Diptera: psychodidae) from Central America

• Published in: Journal of medical entomology Vol. 35; no. 2; p. 169
• Main Authors: Mutebi, J.P. (University of Texas Medical Branch, Galvesto, TX.), Rowton, E, Herrero, M.V, Ponce, C, Belli, A, Valle, S, Lanzaro, G.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.03.1998
• Subjects: Animals; CENTRAL AMERICA; Costa Rica; DEMES; ENZYME POLYMORPHISM; ENZYMES; Enzymes - genetics; GENE FLOW; GENE FREQUENCY; GENES; GENETIC DISTANCE; GENETIC DIVERSITY; GENETIC VARIATION; Geography; Honduras; LOCI; LUTZOMYIA LONGIPALPIS; Nicaragua; Phylogeny; POLYMORPHIC LOCI; POPULATION STRUCTURE; Psychodidae - classification; Psychodidae - genetics; Central America; Honduras; Nicaragua; Costa Rica
• ISSN: 0022-2585
• DOI: 10.1093/jmedent/35.2.169

Eleven Central American populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva) were analyzed for genetic variation at 16 enzyme loci. The aim was to study the genetic structure among populations within this region and to identify demes that may represent different sibling species. Genotypic frequencies within populations agreed with Hardy-Weinberg expectations, indicating that there were no sympatric sibling species among these 11 populations. Levels of genetic distance between pairs of populations were very low (0.02). Some substructing was evident, because after genotypes of all populations were pooled, 7 of the 16 enzyme loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Estimates of effective migration rates among populations (Nm) were low (3.7), indicating that gene flow was restricted. These data explained observed genetic substructuring when all genotypes were pooled