Genetic diversity and DNA barcoding of the black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) vectors of parasites causing human onchocerciasis in Guatemala

Genetic variation based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and II (COII) sequences was investigated for three black fly nominal species, Simulium metallicum Bellardi complex, S. callidum Dyar and Shannon, and S. ochraceum Walker complex, which are vectors of human onchocerciasis from Guatemala. High levels of genetic diversity were found in S. metallicum complex and S. ochraceum complex with maximum intraspecific genetic divergences of 11.39% and 4.25%, respectively. Levels of genetic diversity of these nominal species are consistent with species status for both of them as they are cytologically complexes of species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the S. metallicum complex from Guatemala divided into three distinct clades, two with members of this species from several Central and South American countries and another exclusively from Mexico. The Simulium ochraceum complex from Guatemala formed a clade with members of this species from Mexico and Costa Rica while those from Ecuador and Colombia formed another distinct clade. Very low diversity in S. callidum was found for both genes with maximum intraspecific genetic divergence of 0.68% for COI and 0.88% for COII. Low genetic diversity in S. callidum might be a consequence of the result being informative of only recent population history of the species.