Journal of Vector Borne Diseases (Sep 2011)
Species composition of Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Nikshahr county, south-eastern Iran
Abstract
Background & objectives: Sandflies are reported as the vectors of different kinds of leishmaniasis to human.There are foci of the disease in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the fauna and species compositionof sandflies to find the probable vectors of leishmaniasis in Nikshahr county, south-east of Iran, where cutaneousleishmaniasis is endemic.Methods: Sandflies were collected by sticky paper traps from 20 collection stations located in plain andmountainous area of Nikshahr county. The sex ratio and relative abundance of different species were alsodetermined.Results: A total of 11,455 sandflies revealed 23 species collected and identified. Phlebotomus alexandri, P.sergenti, P. papatasi, P. salehi, and P. keshishiani were the most important vector species found in this study.Interpretation & conclusion: During this survey 13 species are identified for the first time from Nikshahrcounty—P. bergeroti, P. eleanorae, P. keshishiani, P. halepensis, S. hodgsoni, S. christophersi, S. mervynae, S.dentata, S. dreyfussi, S. iranica, S. africana, S. grekovi and S. palestinensis, while P. keshishiani is an importantvector of visceral leishmaniasis in south of Iran. These data demonstrate five vectors of leishmaniasis areactive in the study area.
