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Chemkhi J, Guerbouj S, Saadawi W, Shaibi T, Faris S, Ghawar W, Boukthir A, Guizani I, Annajar BB, Ben Salah A.
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J Med Entomol. 2019 Feb 25;56(2):560-564. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjy192.
Abstract
In Tunisia, 17 phlebotomine sand fly species are reported, belonging to genera
Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. However, subsequent to faunal studies and outbreaks of
leishmaniasis in different regions of the country, unrecognized sand fly species
could exist. Indeed, we report in this study the presence of Sergentomyia
(Parrotomyia) lewisiParrot 1948. A brief collection of phlebotomine sand flies was
undertaken in August 2016 in Khbina locality, in Sidi Bouzid governorate situated in
Central Tunisia, which constitutes an old focus of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.
Sand flies were collected, using CDC light traps that were placed overnight, in
different biotopes (inside habitations, outdoors, and within animal shelters).
Specimens were collected and morphologically identified. Measurements were taken
with an ocular micrometer. Two female specimens of the species Se. (Parrotomyia)
lewisi were collected. One specimen is here described and measured. A comparison of
its taxonomic characters to the holotype from Sudan and a specimen from Algeria is
also presented. This species was until now only reported from Sudan, Ethiopia,
Algeria, and Morocco. It is here described for the first time in Tunisia, which
raises the Tunisian sand fly fauna to seven subgenera and 18 species.
Keywords: .
Link/DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy192