Affiliations 

  • 1 Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand
  • 3 Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
  • 4 Fuji Environmental Service, Mitsuwa, Kawaguchi City, Saitama, Japan
  • 5 National Institute of Food Control, Ministry of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
Sci Rep, 2016 Feb 03;6:20346.
PMID: 26839292 DOI: 10.1038/srep20346

Abstract

Perspicuous assessments of taxonomic boundaries and discovery of cryptic taxa are of paramount importance in interpreting ecological and evolutionary phenomena among black flies (Simuliidae) and combating associated vector-borne diseases. Simulium tani Takaoka & Davies is the largest and perhaps the most taxonomically challenging species complex of black flies in the Oriental Region. We use a DNA sequence-based method to delineate currently recognized chromosomal and morphological taxa in the S. tani complex on the Southeast Asian mainland and Taiwan, while elucidating their phylogenetic relationships. A molecular approach using multiple genes, coupled with morphological and chromosomal data, supported recognition of cytoform K and morphoform 'b' as valid species; indicated that S. xuandei, cytoform L, and morphoform 'a' contain possible cryptic species; and suggested that cytoform B is in the early stages of reproductive isolation whereas lineage sorting is incomplete in cytoforms A, C, and G.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.