We provide the first records of six species of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the genus Culicoides Latreille from Mexico: C. baueri Hoffman, C. castillae Fox, C. debilipalpis Lutz, C. iriartei Fox, C. leoni Barbosa and C.... more
We provide the first records of six species of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the genus Culicoides Latreille from Mexico: C. baueri Hoffman, C. castillae Fox, C. debilipalpis Lutz, C. iriartei Fox, C. leoni Barbosa and C. pusilloides Wirth and Blanton. In addition, C. leopoldoi Ortiz is confirmed from Mexico, and new records are included for 25 other species previously recorded in Mexico: C. arubae Fox and Hoffman, C. blantoni Vargas and Wirth, C. crepuscularis Malloch, C. daedalus Macfie, C. diabolicus Hoffman, C. foxi Ortiz, C. furens (Poey), C. gabaldoni Ortiz, C. haematopotus Malloch, C. hylas Macfie, C. insignis Lutz, C. jamaicensis Edwards, C. luteovenus Root and Hoffman, C. neopulicaris Wirth, C. nigrigenus Wirth and Blanton, C. pampoikilus Macfie, C. panamensis Barbosa, C. paraensis (Goeldi), C. phlebotomus (Williston), C. poikilonotus Macfie, C. pusillus Lutz, C. stigmalis Wirth, and all three species in the C. (Monoculicoides) variipennis complex, C. variipenn...
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Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) have biological relevance as vectors of several pathogens. To ensure periodic entomological monitoring it is necessary to have efficient and accurate tools for an adequate... more
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) have biological relevance as vectors of several pathogens. To ensure periodic entomological monitoring it is necessary to have efficient and accurate tools for an adequate taxonomic identification. There are only few studies on phylogenetic analyses of phlebotomine sand flies from Neotropics, based mostly on morphological and/or molecular data, which makes the delimitation of intra- and interspecific variability of species challenging. Here we generated new molecular information on sand fly species distributed in endemic areas of leishmaniasis in Mexico, using mitochondrial and ribosomal genes, and incorporating morphological information available. Specifically, we established their phylogenetic relationships, and estimated their divergence time. Our study provides molecular information for 15 phlebotomine sand fly species from different areas of Mexico, contributing to the genetic inventory and phylogenetic relations amo...
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Research Interests: Biology and Psychodidae
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The mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linneaus, 1762) is the vector of dengue viruses in America. Recently, another related species, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) was first introduced to America in 1986 in Texas, USA and later on in... more
The mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linneaus, 1762) is the vector of dengue viruses in America. Recently, another related species, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) was first introduced to America in 1986 in Texas, USA and later on in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Since then, this mosquito has rapidly colonized new areas along the northern border states of Mexico. The importance of this species as a vector of dengue virus is not clear. This work presents a revision of some characteristics of the two species in Mexico, with special emphasis in the documented vector, A. aegypti. Additionally, it includes a critical analysis of the methods for vector surveillance and its importance for a better application of control strategies, as well as some ideas about research needs and priorities in Mexico.
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Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, Taxonomy, Biology, Biodiversity, and 12 moreMedicine, Mexico, Arthropoda, Female, Animals, Male, Insecta, Diptera, MEXICO, Psychodidae, Animalia, and Phlebotomus
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Data relating to the discovery and identification of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, in Coahuila State, Mexico, are presented. Infestations are reported for Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña. Samples from a third community were... more
Data relating to the discovery and identification of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, in Coahuila State, Mexico, are presented. Infestations are reported for Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña. Samples from a third community were negative for Ae. albopictus.
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The genus Trichoprosopon Theobald, 1901 includes 13 described species in the Neotropical Region, three of which have been recorded in Mexico. In this work, a new species, Trichoprosopon mixtli sp. nov., is described based on... more
The genus Trichoprosopon Theobald, 1901 includes 13 described species in the Neotropical Region, three of which have been recorded in Mexico. In this work, a new species, Trichoprosopon mixtli sp. nov., is described based on characteristics of the fourth-instar larva, pupa, female and male genitalia, and adults. Larvae and pupae were collected from the flower bracts of Heliconia bourgaeana Petersen at the Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), inside the “Santuario del Bosque de Niebla”, in Xalapa, Veracruz State, Mexico. This is the first time that the complete larval and pupal chaetotaxy of a species of Trichoprosopon is described. Keys for the identification of known species of Trichoprosopon are provided and the internal classification of the genus is discussed.
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, Biology, Genus, Larva, and 4 moreTheobald, Cloud Forest, Pupa, and Chaetotaxy
... Cárdenas, Caleta de Campos, near Nexpa, 22-July-1992, C. Martínez, C. Fulgencio, and H. Huerta, cols., 11 males (Canada balsam slides); Chiapas: Tapachula, Instalaciones del CIP, 17-September-1998; S. Ibáñez-Bernal, col., at light, 1... more
... Cárdenas, Caleta de Campos, near Nexpa, 22-July-1992, C. Martínez, C. Fulgencio, and H. Huerta, cols., 11 males (Canada balsam slides); Chiapas: Tapachula, Instalaciones del CIP, 17-September-1998; S. Ibáñez-Bernal, col., at light, 1 male, 1 female (Euparal slides). ...
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Las preferencias hematófagas de los insectos determinan la asociación entre parásito, hospedero y vector, siendo indispensable para saber que especie mantiene la infección en los animales silvestres o domésticos y cuál la transfiere al... more
Las preferencias hematófagas de los insectos determinan la asociación entre parásito, hospedero y vector, siendo indispensable para saber que especie mantiene la infección en los animales silvestres o domésticos y cuál la transfiere al humano, para que la parasitemia se convierta en una zoonosis. Conocer las fuentes de alimentación de sangre de las especies de vectores es un requisito para valorar el papel que juega cada una de ellas en la infección humana. En México se registran 50 especies de Phlebotominae y aunque las hembras de la subfamilia se mencionan como hematófagas de anfibios, reptiles, aves y mamíferos; sus hábitos hematófagos y sus preferencias por hospederos son variados. Se hace una revisión descriptiva de la literatura sobre las preferencias hematófagas de las especies registradas en México, para valorar cuáles tienen especial importancia en la transmisión de Leishmania al humano y cuales mantienen la infección enzoótica en otros vertebrados, al tiempo que se incentiva el estudio de las preferencias hematófagas para aquellas cuyos hábitos alimentarios se desconocen.
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Aedes (Howardina) guatemala Berlin, 1969 was recently recorded in Mexico. Based on material collected in Chiapas State, the larva, pupa, and female and male genitalia of this species are described for the first time.
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Huerta, Herón, Ibáñez-Bernal, Sergio (2008): New records of Scatopsidae (Diptera) from southeastern Mexico, and descriptions of new species of Swammerdamella Enderlein and Colobostema Enderlein. Zootaxa 1720: 57-65, DOI:... more
Huerta, Herón, Ibáñez-Bernal, Sergio (2008): New records of Scatopsidae (Diptera) from southeastern Mexico, and descriptions of new species of Swammerdamella Enderlein and Colobostema Enderlein. Zootaxa 1720: 57-65, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.181111
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Los flebotominos son los vectores de diferentes especies de parásitos del género Leishmania, los cuales son los agentes etiológicos de variadas formas clínicas de las leishmaniasis. El principal riesgo de transmisión a humanos es el... more
Los flebotominos son los vectores de diferentes especies de parásitos del género Leishmania, los cuales son los agentes etiológicos de variadas formas clínicas de las leishmaniasis. El principal riesgo de transmisión a humanos es el contacto con los vectores portadores del parásito, por lo que la actividad de incriminación de vectores y el entendimiento de las capacidades vectoriales de las especies son aspectos muy importantes desde el punto de vista epidemiológico. Entonces, es de suma relevancia estimar con precisión la presencia, abundancia, tasa de picadura, tasa de infección, estructura de edades, entre otras. para evaluar los riesgos de transmisión de Leishmania spp. y que la información generada pueda ser analizada y comprendida por los tomadores de decisiones en cuanto a políticas públicas de salud. Sin embargo, para que esta información de campo sea realmente útil al sector salud o para fines de investigación, los estimadores poblacionales deben tener un mínimo de sesgo con relación a las capturas de las especies de importancia médica o bien del ensamble biológico. El principal objetivo de la presente contribución es presentar una revisión descriptiva basada en la literatura publicada sobre los métodos más comúnmente empleados en la captura y monitoreo de flebotominos, haciendo énfasis en los estudios realizados en México y con discusiones acerca de cada método en cuanto ventajas, desventajas e interpretaciones. Así como, los aspectos generales del muestreo e inferencias poblaciones, con mención de las perspectivas futuras de investigación.
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... The specimens studied were dry preserved and prepared to be slide-mounted in Euparal, following the method described by Ibáñez-Bernal (1999). ... Additional references are Duckhouse and Lewis, 1980: 95; Alexander, 1987: 376; Quate and... more
... The specimens studied were dry preserved and prepared to be slide-mounted in Euparal, following the method described by Ibáñez-Bernal (1999). ... Additional references are Duckhouse and Lewis, 1980: 95; Alexander, 1987: 376; Quate and Alexander, 2000: 185. Remarks. ...
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The egg exochorion, larval instars and pupa of the phlebotomine sand fly Micropygomyia (Coquillettimyia) chiapanensis (Dampf) are described and illustrated based on specimens collected in the locality of Farallón, municipality of Actopan,... more
The egg exochorion, larval instars and pupa of the phlebotomine sand fly Micropygomyia (Coquillettimyia) chiapanensis (Dampf) are described and illustrated based on specimens collected in the locality of Farallón, municipality of Actopan, Veracruz, Mexico. Morphology of fourth instar larval mouthparts, particularly the incisor lobe and molar lobe shape of mandible, could be important for species identification of immature Phlebotominae. In this work is compared the pupal chaetotaxy of Mi. chiapanensis with other species previously described. The fourth instar larva of Mi. chiapanensis is compared with other species of this genus, the most important differentiating characters being the size, shape and position of the abdominal dorsal internal seta.
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, Biology, Medicine, Mexico, and 12 moreAnatomy, Female, Animals, Male, Body Size, SETA, Larva, MEXICO, Psychodidae, Phlebotomus, Pupa, and Chaetotaxy
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi in Triatominae species frequently found in and around Mexican dwellings, and to assess the frequency of Triatominae in towns by state. Material and methods: Between... more
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi in Triatominae species frequently found in and around Mexican dwellings, and to assess the frequency of Triatominae in towns by state. Material and methods: Between January 1993 and December 1999, 5,399 Triatominae bugs from 14 states of Mexico, were received in the Department of Entomology of the Institute for Epidemiologic Diagnosis and Referral (InDRE), for taxonomic determination and parasitoscopical search of Trypanosoma cruzi. Results obtained between 1993 and 1999 were analyzed globally. Results: From 13 bug species associated with human dwellings, nine were naturally infected with T. cruzi. The highest percentage of infection occurred in Triatoma pallidipennis, T. picturata, Rhodnius prolixus and T. longipennis. Nayarit, Morelos, and Michoacán were the states with the highest percentage of infected bugs. The species T. dimidiata, T. gerstaeckeri, T. longipennis, T. mexicana and T. pallidipennis were first state records and Pastrongylus rufotuberculatus was a first local record. Conclusions: These findings stress the importance of studying the biology of Triatominae and the need for permanent surveillance, to allow for up-to-date distribution records of Triatominae species in and around human dwellings, those adapting to human dwellings, and frequencies of those naturally infected by T. cruzi.
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An updated catalogue of Culicoides of Mexico is presented. It includes 86 species with their regional distribution and corresponding record references, known immature stages and associated pathogens. In addition, a taxonomic key for... more
An updated catalogue of Culicoides of Mexico is presented. It includes 86 species with their regional distribution and corresponding record references, known immature stages and associated pathogens. In addition, a taxonomic key for subgenera and species groups for Mexico is presented and an index of species by state is included.
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, Entomology, Biology, Genus, and 3 moreCulicoides, CERATOPOGONIDAE, and Subgenus
Nowadays, there is a lack of information on the mosquito's fauna and DNA barcoding sequence reference library from many areas in Mexico, including the Volcanoes of Central America physiographic subprovince in the state of Chiapas.... more
Nowadays, there is a lack of information on the mosquito's fauna and DNA barcoding sequence reference library from many areas in Mexico, including the Volcanoes of Central America physiographic subprovince in the state of Chiapas. Consequently, a survey was undertaken to delineate the mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) fauna in this region across different seasons using different collecting techniques. All species were identified by morphology and DNA barcoding, and their ecological features were also defined. In total, 62 taxa were morphologically examined, 60 of these were successfully identified based on morphological characteristics, but two were unable to be identified at the species level. The genera Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, and Wyeomyia are the most diverse among mosquito genera collected and include several species of medical and veterinary importance. Ecological characteristics of the immature habitats indicated that they were grouped into four categories namely, (1) large water bodies at ground level, (2) small and shady phytotelmata (e.g., tree holes and bamboo internodes), (3) large phytotelmata (e.g., plant leaves and axis bromeliad), and (4) artificial containers. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA barcoding sequences successfully separated the majority of these species, although specific species showed >2% intraspecific genetic divergences.
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FIGURES 14 – 17. Swammerdamella grogani sp. nov. Fig. 14: Anterior veins of wing, dorsal aspect. Figs. 15 – 16: Segment 7, ventral aspect. Fig. 17: Genitalia, ventral aspect. Scales in millimeters.
FIGURE 1. Wing of Trichomyia fairchildi Vargas and DíazNájera.
FIGURES 6 – 9. Triatomine species known to occur in Veracruz, Mexico: 6) Panstrongylus geniculatus (female from Venezuela, Carabobo, IBUNAM); 7) Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus (female from Veracruz, " Los Tuxtlas, " IBUNAM); 8)... more
FIGURES 6 – 9. Triatomine species known to occur in Veracruz, Mexico: 6) Panstrongylus geniculatus (female from Venezuela, Carabobo, IBUNAM); 7) Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus (female from Veracruz, " Los Tuxtlas, " IBUNAM); 8) Triatoma infestans (female from Veracruz, " Los Tuxtlas, " IBUNAM); 9) Triatoma rubida (female from Mexico, Baja California Sur, Isla Angel de la Guarda, IBUNAM. Photographs by C. A. Sandoval-Ruiz.
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The enormous global burden of vector-borne diseases disproportionately affects poor people in tropical, developing countries. Changes in vector-borne disease impacts are often linked to human modification of ecosystems as well as climate... more
The enormous global burden of vector-borne diseases disproportionately affects poor people in tropical, developing countries. Changes in vector-borne disease impacts are often linked to human modification of ecosystems as well as climate change. For tropical ecosystems, the health impacts of future environmental and developmental policy depend on how vector-borne disease risks trade off against other ecosystem services across heterogeneous landscapes. By linking future socio-economic and climate change pathways to dynamic land use models, this study is amongst the first to analyse and project impacts of both land use and climate change on continental-scale patterns in vector-borne diseases. Models were developed for cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas-ecologically complex sand fly borne infections linked to tropical forests and diverse wild and domestic mammal hosts. Both diseases were hypothesised to increase with available interface habitat between forest and agri...
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. A catalogue of specimens belonging to the family Psychodidae (Diptera) deposited in the Medical Importance Arthropod Collection (CAIM) of the Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos (InDRE), Mexico is presented. In this... more
. A catalogue of specimens belonging to the family Psychodidae (Diptera) deposited in the Medical Importance Arthropod Collection (CAIM) of the Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos (InDRE), Mexico is presented. In this collection the psychodids are represented by 2459 specimens of three subfamilies, six genera and 55 species. A total of 28 species are from 20 states of Mexico (Chiapas, Coahuila, Colima, Distrito Federal, Estado de Mexico, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Yucatan), and 27 species (172 specimens) proceed from other American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, United States of America, French Guiana,
Honduras, Virgin Islands, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, and Venezuela.
Honduras, Virgin Islands, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, and Venezuela.
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A sand fly fauna inventory was conducted in an ecotourism area of central Veracruz, Mexico. We recorded and analyzed the sand fly diversity at 3 different land use types (well-preserved forest, fruit-tree plantations, and human... more
A sand fly fauna inventory was conducted in an ecotourism area of central Veracruz, Mexico. We recorded and analyzed the sand fly diversity at 3 different land use types (well-preserved forest, fruit-tree plantations, and human settlements) with sampling conducted 3 times in 1 year (dry, rainy, and cold seasons). A total of 891 specimens of 6 genera and 14 species was recorded. High diversity was detected in the preserved area due to a high species richness and abundance as compared with the fruit-tree plantations and human settlements, respectively. In relation to the seasons of the year, high diversity was found in the cold season as compared with the rainy and dry seasons. The variation of the Phlebotominae assemblage in space and time in the ecotourism zone is described, serving as a baseline to recommend preventive actions to settlers and travelers. Additionally, we include new species records for the state of Veracruz.
The family Lygistorrhinidae is recorded for the first time in Mexico, based on adult morphological descriptions of two new species of the genus Lygistorrhina Skuse: L. (Probolaeus) alexi sp. nov. and L. (P.) borkenti sp. nov. A third... more
The family Lygistorrhinidae is recorded for the first time in Mexico, based on adult morphological descriptions of two new species of the genus Lygistorrhina Skuse: L. (Probolaeus) alexi sp. nov. and L. (P.) borkenti sp. nov. A third species belonging to L. (Lygistorrhina) sp. was found, but it remains undescribed due to scarcity of specimens. The specimens were collected in two natural reserves of the state of Yucatan (Ría Lagartos and Ría Celestún), along the border of the states of Morelos and Mexico (National Park “Lagunas de Zempoala”), and in the state of Hidalgo (near the locality of Tlanchinol).Keys words: Diptera, Lygistorrhinidae, Mexico, Lygistorrhina, Probolaeus, new species
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FIGURES 6–8. Male terminalia of Alepia aculeocauda, sp. nov. 6. Aedeagal complex and gonopods in dorso-ventral view. 7. Aedeagal complex in lateral view. 8. Epandrium and surstyli with apical and accessory retinacula. Scale in... more
FIGURES 6–8. Male terminalia of Alepia aculeocauda, sp. nov. 6. Aedeagal complex and gonopods in dorso-ventral view. 7. Aedeagal complex in lateral view. 8. Epandrium and surstyli with apical and accessory retinacula. Scale in millimeters. Aes: aedeagal sheath; Bph: basiphallus; Dph: distiphallus; Gcc: gonocoxite condyle; Gcx: gonocoxite; Gst: gonostylus; Tun: tunica.
FIGURE 4. Dixella atitla sp. nov. A–B. Male genitalia. C. Female genitalia. A. Tergite 9, dorsal view; B. Sternite 9, ventral view. C. Ventral view. Scale = 0.1 mm.
FIGURE 6. Dixella atitla sp. nov. Male genitalia. A. Ventral view. B. Gonostyle, dorsal view, C, E. Lateral view. D. Dorsal view. Abbreviations: ae ap= aedeagal apodeme; ae com= aedeagal complex; a lob= anterior lobe of gonocoxite; goncx=... more
FIGURE 6. Dixella atitla sp. nov. Male genitalia. A. Ventral view. B. Gonostyle, dorsal view, C, E. Lateral view. D. Dorsal view. Abbreviations: ae ap= aedeagal apodeme; ae com= aedeagal complex; a lob= anterior lobe of gonocoxite; goncx= gonocoxite; gonst= gonostyle. Scale: A–D= 0.1 mm; E= 0.064 mm.