Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz ISSN: 1678-8060 EISSN: 1678-8060 Vol. 104, Num. 4, 2009, pp. 604-607

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Vol. 104, No. 4, July, 2009, pp. 604-607

ARTICLES

Description of Evandromyia grimaldii sp. nov. (Diptera: Psychodidae), a new phlebotomine species from the state of Espírito Santo, Southeast Brazil

José Dilermando Andrade Filho^{I, +}; Israel de Souza Pinto^II; Claudiney Biral dos Santos^II; Gustavo Mayr de Lima Carvalho^I

^ILaboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou-Fiocruz, Av. Augusto de Lima 1715, 30190-002 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
^IIUnidade de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brasil
+ Corresponding author: jandrade@cpqrr.fiocruz.br

Financial support: Fapemig, Capes

Received 27 November 2008
Accepted 3 March 2009

Code Number: oc09137

ABSTRACT

Phlebotomine sand flies present great species diversity, especially in Brazil, where there are about 300 known species. This work describes a new species of sand fly found in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo, in the Reserva Biológica de Duas Bocas, municipality of Cariacica. Spermathecae with superficial striations and the common duct longer than the genital fork permit the inclusion of the new species in the subgenus Evandromyia s. str., series rupicola. The new species resemble Ev. rupicola from which it may be distinguished by the aspects of the spermatheca and the length of the genital filament of the male, longer in the new species.

Key words: Evandromyia grimaldii sp. nov. - sand fly - Espírito Santo - Phlebotominae -taxonomy

The Brazilian territory presents a great diversity of biomes, such as equatorial rainforest, cerrado and Atlantic Forest. As a reflection of this, there exists a great biodiversity of plants and animals, several species or groups of species being endemic, and in some particular circumstances, vectors of agents to man and other mammals, as in the case of the phlebotomine sand flies. However, with so many environmental modifications of an anthropic nature these environments have become less stable, leading to an expansion of the customary biomes of various diseases, generating diverse public health problems, such as the invasion of urban centers by leishmaniases.

This study describes a new species of sand fly found in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo (ES), in the Reserva Biológica de Duas Bocas (20º18'05''S and 40º28'06''W), municipality of Cariacica. The area is cover by Atlantic Forest, with an altitude of between 450-850 m above sea level.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sandflies were mounted in Berlese liquid and measured with a binocular Olympus CH-2 microscope with the aid of a micrometer objective and the drawings were made with the help of a camera lucida. The measurements are given in micrometers. The nomenclature and classification is that proposed by Galati (2003) and the abbreviation of the names for phlebotomine genera that proposed by Marcondes (2007).

Evandromyia grimaldii sp. nov. (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

Male (holotype) - Sand fly of medium size, measurement ca. 3,038 (2,428 ± 75.7; n = 2) in length, general color light brown. Head (Fig. 1) 353 (349 ± 2.1; n = 2) long and 297 (301; n = 1) wide. Head length/head width ratio 1.19: 1 (1.16; n = 1). Clypeus 105 (111 ± 2.1; n = 2) long; clypeus length/head length ratio 0.30: 1 (0.32: 1 ± 0.01; n = 2). Eye 165 (148 ± 9.2; n = 2) long and 105 (109 ± 5.7; n = 2) wide; eye length/head length 0.47: 1 (0.43: 1 ± 0.02; n = 2). Interocular distance 88 (105; n = 1). Labrum-epipharynx (LE) 203 (184 ± 7.1; n = 2). LE/head length 0.58: 1 (0.53 ± 0.01; n = 2). Antenna with simple, long ascoid, reaching the apex of the segment. Antennomere lengths: AIII 322 (286 ± 21.9; n = 2); AIV 147 (137 ± 14.8; n = 2); AV 154 (144 ± 9.9; n = 2); AXV > AXVI (AXV > AXVI; n = 2). AIII, AIV, AV and AXIII with papilla; ratios: AIII/head length 0.91: 1 (0.82: 1 ± 0.06; n = 2); AIII/LE 1.59: 1 (1.55: 1 ± 0.06; n = 2). Palpal formula 1.4.2.3.5 (1.4.2.3.5; n = 2). Palpomere lengths: P1 39 (34 ± 2.1; n = 2); P2 137 (139 ± 2.1; n = 2); P3 154 (160 ± 2.1; n = 2); P4 107 (114 ± 2.8; n = 2); P5 378 (337 ± 4.9; n = 2). The Newstead spines are implanted in the median region of the third palpomere. Ventrocervical sensillae present. Thorax: presence of two (1-2; n = 2) proepimeral setae and anepisternal superior setae 9-11 (10-12; n = 2) in number; setae on the anterior region of the katepisternum present. Wing (Fig. 3) measurement 2,953 (2,077; n = 1) long and 593 (558 ± 30.0; n = 2) at maximum width. Length/width ratio 4.97: 1 (3.73: 1 ± 0.20; n = 2). Length of the vein sections: R₅ 1,272 (1,230 ± 39.6; n = 2); alpha 523 (509 ± 0.0; n = 2); beta 212 (200 ± 2.8; n = 2); gamma 240 (226 ± 19.8; n = 2); delta 170 (134 ± 29.7; n = 2). Legs: anterior, median and posterior, respectively: femur 805 (707; n =1), 777 (742 ± 70.0; n = 2) and 848 (806 ± 60.1; n = 2); tibia 1,031 (933; n =1), 1,145 (1,117 ± 79.9; n = 2) and 1,385 (1,321 ± 130.1; n = 2); tarsomere I 650 (608; n = 1), 678 (678 ± 60.8; n = 2) and 763 (728 ± 50.2; n = 2); tarsomeres II + III + IV + V 707 (636; n = 1), 721 (700 ± 50.2; n = 2) and 763 (735 ± 60.1; n = 2). Gonostyle (Fig. 5) 170 (165 ± 14.1; n = 2) long, with four spines: one apical, the upper external and the lower external inserted on a long process (the lower external one being smaller than the upper one); internal one implanted in the base, much smaller than the other spines. Subterminal seta absent. Gonocoxite 240 (252 ± 16.2; n = 2) long and 99 (101 ± 2.1; n = 2) wide, with three long, broad setae inserted on the common tubercle. Paramere folded back on itself at apex, with many setae in this region. Lateral lobe 325 (324 ± 7.1; n = 2) long and 32 (25 ± 4.9; n = 2) wide. Lateral lobe/gonocoxite ratio 1.35: 1 (1.29 ± 0.06; n = 2). Conical aedeagus. Genital filament (Fig. 6) 480 (501 ± 24.7; n = 2) long and 6 (7 ± 1.94; n = 2) wide and genital pump 231 (208 ± 41.7; n = 2). Genital filament/genital pump ratio 2.08: 1 (2.46 ± 0.61; n = 2). Tip of genital filaments with light and asymmetrical narrowing.

Female (allotype) - sand fly of medium size, measuring ca. 2,600 (2,706 ± 285.6; n = 3) in length. Coloration as in the male. Head (Fig. 2) 424 (417 ± 32.1; n = 3) long and 325 (312 ± 12.1; n = 3) wide. Head length/head width ratio 1.30: 1 (1.34 ± 0.13; n = 3). Clypeus 141 (135 ± 10.4; n = 3) long; clypeus length/head length ratio 0.33: 1 (0.32: 1 ± 0.01; n = 3). Eye 172 (164 ± 5.1; n = 3) long and 102 (107 ± 4.0; n = 3) wide; eye length/head length 0.41 (0.39: 1 ± 0.02; n = 3). Interocular distance 144 (120 ± 9.9; n = 2). LE 305 (298 ± 22.5; n = 3). LE/head length 0.72: 1 (0.72 ± 0.01; n = 3). Antenna with simple ascoid, extending beyond the apex of the segment. Antennomere lengths: AIII 287 (280 ± 19.8; n = 3); AIV 137 (132 ± 10.7; n = 3); AV 140 (136 ± 12.9; n = 3); AXV and AXVI lost in allotype, AXV > AXVI in paratypes (n = 3). AIII, AIV and AV with papilla; ratios: AIII/head length 0.68: 1 (0.67: 1 ± 0.061 n = 3); AIII/LE 0.94: 1 (0.94: 1 ± 0.01; n = 3). Palpomeres 4 and 5 lost in allotype. Palpal formula 1.4.2.3.5 in paratypes (n = 3). Palpomere lengths: P1 42 (40 ± 4.0; n = 3); P2 161 (159 ± 12.0; n = 3); P3 179 (170 ± 13.4; n = 3); P4 117 ± 10.4; n = 3 (paratypes); P5 338 ± 16.2; n = 3 (paratypes). The Newstead spines implanted in the median region of the third palpomere. Cibarium with four well developed posterior (horizontal) teeth; the anterior (vertical) teeth situated below the posterior teeth and laterally in the cibarium are present in large number, with some elements in a horizontal position (Fig. 8). Sclerotized area is poorly defined and the sclerotized arch is complete. Unarmed pharynx. Lacinia of the maxilla with approximately 4-6 external teeth in a single longitudinal row. Ventrocervical sensillae present. Thorax with two (2; n = 3) proepimeral setae and anepisternal superior setae 18-19 (15-17; n = 3) in number; setae on the anterior region of the katepisternum present. Wing (Fig. 4) measurement 2,289 (2,312 ± 8.1; n = 3) long and 735 (730 ± 8.1; n = 3) at maximum width. Length/width ratio 3.65:1 (3.16: 1 ± 0.02). Length of the vein sections: R₅ 1,342 (1,366 ± 8.7; n = 3); alpha 707 (712 ± 8.1; n = 3); beta 198 (188 ± 8.1; n = 3); gamma 212 (228; n = 3); delta 254 (263 ± 8.1; n = 3). Legs, anterior median and posterior, respectively: femur 876 (862 ± 39.6; n =2), 834 (820 ± 8.1; n = 2) and 890 (890 ± 39.6; n = 2); tibia 1,017 (1,032 ± 60.1; n = 2), 1,201 (1,187 ± 79.9; n = 2) and 1,413 (1,420 ± 49.4; n = 2); tarsomere I 692 (664 ± 39.6; n = 2), 721 (728 ± 50.2; n = 2) and 820 (799 ± 50.2; n = 2); tarsomeres II+III+IV+V 735 (742 ± 9.9; n = 2), 749 (770 ± 29.7; n = 2) and 791 (806 ± 20.5; n = 2). Spermathecae (Fig. 9): 32 (33 ± 1.7; n = 3) long by 25 (24 ± 2.3; n = 3) at maximum width. The body of the spermathecae presents superficial striations. The initial portion is rectangular finishing in a bottleneck about three times narrower than at its widest point. The head of the spermathecae present some fine bristles inserted in the apex of the bottleneck. The individual and common sperm ducts are smooth-walled, the latter being as long as the genital fork. The individual duct is 88 (86 ± 2.8; n = 2) in length and the common duct 56 (92 ± 14.8; n = 2). Cercus 137 (168 ± 25.2; n = 3) long.

Type-material - Holotype male and allotype female were collected with CDC light trap, in forest, in the locality of Reserva Biológica de Duas Bocas, district of Alto Alegre, municipality of Cariacica, ES, Brazil on 24 April 2008 (IS Pinto col.), together with two male and one female paratypes. Two female paratypes collected in the same locality on 20 June 2008. The type-material is deposited in the Phlebotomine Collection of the Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Etymology - The name Ev. grimaldii sp. nov. has been given in honor of Dr. Gabriel Grimaldi Filho, from the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, for his contributions for the study on leishmaniases in Brazil.

DISCUSSION

At the moment, three species compose the series rupicola: Evandromyia rupicola (Martins Godoy & Silva 1962), Evandromyia correalimai (Martins, Coutinho & Luz 1970) and Evandromyia gaucha Andrade Filho, Souza & Falcão 2007. Of these species only Ev. correalimai is known from both sexes (Martins et al. 1970). Ev. gaucha was described based on the female (Andrade Filho et al. 2007) and only males are known for Ev. rupicola (Martins et al. 1962), however EAB Galati, MLF Condino and C Casanova (unpublished observations) collected a female probably of Ev. rupicola species in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

The female of Ev. correalimai does not present the body of the spermathecae with bottleneck and the horizontal teeth of the cibarium are not well developed. These structures are sufficient to distinguish Ev. correalimai from Ev. grimaldii. The male of new species present the internal spine much smaller than the others while in Ev. correalimai this spine is larger, similar to the lower external one.

Ev. gaucha was recently described and not identified with any known group of Evandromyia, although the authors recognize it as close to the species of the rupicola series (Andrade Filho et al. 2007). As the present authors had the opportunity to describe Ev. grimaldii, all the type-specimens of Ev. gaucha were examined to check for any morphological likeness between the two species and this determined the inclusion of Ev. gaucha in the series rupicola. The two species can be clearly distinguished by the spermathecae which are highly atypical in both.

The males of Ev. rupicola are very similar to Ev. grimaldii, however, they can be distinguished by the genital filaments which are longer in the new species (minimum of 480 and maximum of 518) than those of Ev. rupicola (Fig. 7). In holotype and three male paratypes of Ev. rupicola these filaments ranged between 364-371 μm (average of 367 μm) long. In accordance with Galati's information, the body of Ev. rupicola's spermathecae does not present a bottleneck as in Ev. grimaldii.

With the description of Ev. grimaldii, the serie rupicola is now composted of four species, all restricted to the Atlantic rain forest region. ES now has three endemics species, Lutzomyia souzalopesi Martins, Silva & Falcão 1970, Lutzomyia falquetoi Pinto & Santos 2007 and Ev. grimaldii, but new studies on phlebotomine sand flies are underway and other species may still be described and thus further increase the sand fly diversity of ES.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To Cristiani C. Sanguinette, for her help with the figure of the sand fly, and Reginaldo P. Brazil, for reading earlier drafts of the manuscript.

REFERENCES

• Andrade Filho JD, Souza GD, Falcão AL 2007. Description of a new phlebotomine species, Evandromyia gaucha sp. nov. (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 102: 737-740.
• Galati EAB 2003. Classificação de Phlebotominae. In EF Rangel, R Lainson (eds), Flebotomíneos do Brasil, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, p. 23-51.
• Marcondes CB 2007. A proposal of generic and subgeneric abbreviations for phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) of the world. Entomol News 118: 351-356.
• Martins AV, Coutinho JO, Luz E 1970. Nova espécie de flebótomo do Estado do Paraná: Lutzomyia correalimai n. sp. (Díptera: Psychodidae). Rev Bras Malariol Doenças Trop 22: 189-200.
• Martins AV, Godoy Jr, Silva JE 1962. Nota sôbre os flebtótomos de Petrópolis, estado do Rio de Janeiro, com a descrição de uma nova espécie. Rev Bras Biol 22: 55-60.

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