Morphometric Characterization and Distribution of the Subgenus Adlerius of Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in Southeastern Iran: New Records from Sistan and Baluchistan Province

Abstract

Background: Phlebotomine sand fly taxonomy has been widely studied, often due to their role as vectors of various pathogens, including arboviruses, Leishmania spp. and Bartonella spp., which cause infections in both animals and hu­mans. The objective of this research was to determine the morphological characteristics of various populations of Phleboto­mus halepensis, Ph. kabulensis and Ph. salangensis collected in the southeastern region of Iran, using mor­pho­metric analysis of male sand fly features.
Methods:  Specimens were captured by sticky paper traps and preserved in 70% ethanol. They were mounted in Puri’s medium on microscope slides. The sand flies were identified by examining them under a light microscope following valid morphological keys. The morphometric analysis of the specimens was done using a microscope aided by a mi­crometer. All measurements were recorded in millimeters (mm). Photographs and drawings of identifying characteris­tics of male specimens were taken.
Results: A total of 87 phlebotomine sand flies belonging to the subgenus Adlerius were caught in four counties of Sis­tan and Baluchistan Province, Iran. We report the presence of Adlerius in the counties: Iranshahr (Ph. kabulensis), Khash (Ph. halepensis, Ph. kabulensis and Ph. salangensis), Nikshahr (Ph. halepensis and Ph. kabulensis) and Zahedan (Ph. halepen­sis, Ph. kabulensis and Ph. salangensis). The morphometric characteristics of Ph. halepensis, Ph. kabulen­sis and Ph. sa­langensis are listed in detail in this article.
Conclusion: More intensive investigations are required to find sand fly infections, their relative abundance and distribu­tion; moreover, subsequent DNA molecular comparisons are needed to control them in Iran.