Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 77 in total

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  1. Haziqah-Rashid A, Chen CD, Lau KW, Low VL, Sofian-Azirun M, Suana IW, et al.
    J Med Entomol, 2019 02 25;56(2):514-518.
    PMID: 30462258 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy208
    This study was conducted to monitor the susceptibility status of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) larvae in the Sunda Islands of Indonesia against various organophosphates and organochlorines. Larval bioassay was performed in accordance with the World Health Organization standard protocol. Field-collected and reference strains of Ae. aegypti larvae were tested against diagnostic doses of eight larvicides belonging to organophosphates and organochlorines, namely bromophos (0.050 mg/liter), chlopyrifos (0.002 mg/liter), fenitrothion (0.020 mg/liter), fenthion (0.025 mg/liter), malathion (0.125 mg/liter), temephos (0.012 mg/liter), DDT (0.012 mg/liter), and dieldrin (0.025 mg/liter). Mortality rates of larvae were recorded at 24-h posttreatment. This study showed that Ae. aegypti larvae from Padang, Samarinda, Manggarai Barat, and South Central Timor were susceptible to both fenitrothion and dieldrin (mortality rates ≥ 98%). About 6 out of 10 field strains of Ae. aegypti larvae were resistant (<80% mortality rates) against fenthion, whereas Ae. aegypti larvae from Kuningan, Samarinda, Sumba, and South Central Timor exhibited some degrees of resistance (mortality rates 80-98%). All field-collected Ae. aegypti larvae were resistant against diagnostic doses of chlorpyrifos, malathion, temephos, and DDT with mortality rates ranging from 0 to 74.67%. Continued insecticide susceptibility studies are essential to identify the efficacy of insecticides for an improved dengue vector control and to delay the development of insecticide resistance.
  2. Takaoka H, Low VL, Tan TK, Sofian-Azirun M, Chen CD, Lau KW, et al.
    Acta Trop, 2019 Feb;190:320-328.
    PMID: 30496721 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.11.025
    Simulium pumatense sp. nov. is described from Vietnam, and is placed in the Simulium feuerborni species-group of the subgenus Simulium (Nevermannia) Enderlein. Its morphological characteristics include the relatively smaller numbers of the following three numerical features: inner teeth of the female mandible (15-18), minute conical processes (16) on the female cibarium, and male upper-eye facets (in 15 vertical columns and 16 horizontal rows). Keys are constructed to distinguish this species from four species of the same group in Vietnam. Our molecular analysis of the DNA barcoding COI gene shows that this species is most closely related to cytoform A of the S. feuerborni complex from Thailand.
  3. Amelia-Yap ZH, Chen CD, Sofian-Azirun M, Lau KW, Suana IW, Harmonis, et al.
    J Econ Entomol, 2018 12 14;111(6):2854-2860.
    PMID: 30265353 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toy296
    Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is the primary vector of several arthropod-borne viral infectious diseases globally. Relentless vector control efforts are performed to curtail disease transmissions, insecticides remain as the first line of defense in Indonesia. With a dearth of publication on the efficacy of mosquito coil in Indonesia, this is the first report related to mosquito coil despite its common use in households. Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were sampled from nine regencies in Indonesia and tested using the glass-chamber method against three commercially available local pyrethroid-based mosquito coils containing d-allethrin, transfluthrin, and metofluthrin. The 50% knockdown time of female Ae. aegypti tested with d-allethrin, transfluthrin, and metofluthrin containing coils ranged from 0.65 to 14.32; 0.8 to 16.4; and 0.78 to 20.57 min, respectively. Mortality rates in accordance with WHO resistance indicators showed that strains from Denpasar, Mataram, Kuningan, Padang, Samarinda, and Sumba Timur were resistant (<80% mortality rate), whereas strains from Manggarai Barat, Dompu, and Pontianak were susceptible (>98% mortality rate) to the active ingredients assayed. Moreover, the knockdown rates between d-allethrin and transfluthrin, d-allethrin and metofluthrin, as well as transfluthrin and metofluthrin displayed significant associations, portraying the presence of cross-resistance within pyrethroid insecticides. The minimal insecticidal effect of mosquito coils against some Indonesian Ae. aegypti also pointed out the development of pyrethroid resistance, prompting a revamping of the vector control system.
  4. Takaoka H, Sofian-Azirun M, Chen CD, Lau KW, Halim MRA, Low VL, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2018 Dec 01;35(4):951-974.
    PMID: 33601844
    Simulium (Gomphostilbia) dhangi sp. nov., S. (G.) sumbaense sp. nov. and S. (Nevermannia) wayani sp. nov. are described from the Lesser Sunda Archipelago, Indonesia. Simulium (G.) sumbaense sp. nov. is placed in the S. varicorne species-group and is characterized by the pupal gill with eight filaments arranged as (1+1+1+1+2)+2 from dorsal to ventral, while S. (G.) dhangi sp. nov., unplaced to group, is characterized by the pupal gill composed of two inflated trunks and four slender filaments all arising basally, and the short larval antenna as long as the stem of the labral fan. Simulium (N.) wayani sp. nov. belongs to the S. ruficorne species-group and is characterized by the female spermatheca with an unsclerotized neck, and pupal gill with four inflated filaments. The number of species of black flies from the archipelago increases from 19 to 22.
  5. Chen CD, Chin AC, Lau KW, Low VL, Lee HL, Lee PKY, et al.
    J Med Entomol, 2018 10 25;55(6):1651-1655.
    PMID: 30085203 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy130
    The bioefficacy of commercial mosquito coils containing four different active ingredients, namely metofluthrin, d-allethrin, d-trans allethrin, and prallethrin against Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) from 10 states in Malaysia, was evaluated using the glass chamber method. In this study, Ae. albopictus exhibited various knockdown rates (50% knockdown time, KT50), ranging from 2.50 to 5.00 min, 2.50 to 7.00 min, 3.00 to 8.00 min, and 5.00 to 17.00 min for metofluthrin, d-trans allethrin, d-allethrin, and prallethrin, respectively. Overall, all strains of Ae. albopictus were most susceptible to metofluthrin, with mortality rates >80%. On the other hand, mortality rates ranging from 5.0 to 100% were observed from all populations exposed to d-trans allethrin, d-allethrin, and prallethrin. In addition, significant correlations between KT50 of metofluthrin and d-allethrin (r = 0.758, P = 0.011), metofluthrin and prallethrin (r = 0.676, P = 0.032), d-allethrin and d-trans allethrin (r = 0.832, P = 0.003), d-allethrin and prallethrin (r = 0.921, P = 0.000), and d-trans allethrin with prallethrin (r = 0.941, P = 0.000) were detected, suggesting some levels of cross-resistance within the pyrethroid insecticides. This study demonstrated that metofluthrin can induce high insecticidal activity in Ae. albopictus in Malaysia, followed by d-trans allethrin, d-allethrin, and prallethrin.
  6. Low VL, Takaoka H, Adler PH, Tan TK, Weng FC, Chen CY, et al.
    Parasitol Res, 2018 Oct;117(10):3137-3143.
    PMID: 30006809 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6011-7
    The Simulium rufibasis subgroup is one of three subgroups of the Simulium (Simulium) tuberosum species-group; it is characterized by a pair of clustered stout hairs on the ventral surface of female abdominal segment 7. A member of the S. rufibasis subgroup in Taiwan was investigated morphologically and genetically using the universal cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) barcoding gene and polytene chromosomal banding pattern. The Taiwanese material is morphologically similar to S. rosliramlii Takaoka & Chen from Vietnam and represents the second species of the S. rufibasis subgroup known from Taiwan. It also represents a novel molecular lineage that is distinct from three other primary lineages identified as S. doipuiense, S. doipuiense/S. rufibasis, and S. weji previously reported from Thailand. The mitochondrial evidence for a distinct lineage in Taiwan is supported by chromosomal analysis, which revealed unique sex chromosomes. For nomenclatural stability, we associate the name S. arisanum Shiraki with the Taiwanese entity. Originally described from females from Taiwan, S. arisanum until now has remained an enigmatic species.
  7. Elia-Amira NMR, Chen CD, Lau KW, Lee HL, Low VL, Norma-Rashid Y, et al.
    J Econ Entomol, 2018 09 26;111(5):2488-2492.
    PMID: 29982497 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toy184
    The present study aims to investigate the susceptibility status of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) collected from residential areas in Sabah, Malaysia towards eight WHO-recommended dosages of larvicides representing the classes of organophosphates and organochlorines. Field and reference strains of Ae. albopictus larvae were bioassayed in accordance to WHO standard methods using diagnostic dosages of bromophos, malathion, fenthion, fenitrothion, temephos, chlorpyrifos, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and dieldrin. The results revealed that Ae. albopictus was resistant (mortality < 90%) towards malathion, temephos, and DDT. In addition, most of the Ae. albopictus strains exhibited a wide range of susceptibilities against bromophos, with mortality ranged from 49.33 to 93.33%. On the contrary, only dieldrin was able to induce 100% mortality against all strains of Ae. albopictus. Tolerance to fenitrothion, fenthion, and chlorpyrifos, with mortality ranging from 81.33 to 97.33%, was also observed in this study.
  8. Amelia-Yap ZH, Chen CD, Sofian-Azirun M, Low VL
    Parasit Vectors, 2018 Jun 04;11(1):332.
    PMID: 29866193 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2899-0
    Human arboviral diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever remain global public health threats to date. Of these diseases, dengue fever is particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia. Relentless vector control efforts are performed to curtail disease transmissions through which pyrethroid insecticides are broadly used as the first line of defense to control Ae. aegypti, especially in the course of disease outbreaks. Here, we compile the largest contemporary database for susceptibility profiles and underlying mechanisms involved in Ae. aegypti resistant to pyrethroids in Southeast Asia. The extensive use of pyrethroids inevitably elicit different levels of resistance to numerous populations despite the presence of geographical isolation. The most common mechanisms of pyrethroid resistance that have been identified in Ae. aegypti includes mutations in the voltage sensitive sodium channel gene (Vssc gene) and metabolic-mediated insecticide resistance. Aedes aegypti develops resistance to pyrethroids by acquisition of one or several amino acid substitution(s) in this Vssc gene. Enzymes involved in metabolic-mediated detoxification (i.e. monooxygenases, glutathione-S-transferases and esterases) have been reported to be related to pyrethroid resistance but many specific contributory enzymes are not completely studied. An inadequate amount of data from some countries indicates an urgent need for further study to fill the knowledge gaps. Perspectives and future research needs are also discussed.
  9. Lau KW, Chen CD, Lee HL, Low VL, Sofian-Azirun M
    J Econ Entomol, 2018 05 28;111(3):1388-1394.
    PMID: 29617840 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toy071
    The susceptibility status of Aedes albopictus (Skuse; Diptera: Culicidea) larvae collected from 13 districts in Sarawak state, Malaysia was evaluated against five insect growth regulators (IGRs) namely, methoprene, pyriproxyfen, diflubenzuron, cyromazine, and novaluron. Field populations of Ae. albopictus were susceptible to methoprene, pyriproxyfen, cyromazine and novaluron with resistance ratios (RRs) ranging from 0.19-0.38, 0.05-0.14, 0.50-0.95, and 0.75-1.00, respectively. Nevertheless, tolerance towards diflubenzuron (0.33-1.33) was observed in this study. In general, these IGRs exhibited promising results and can be used as alternative control agents against field populations of Ae. albopictus in Sarawak, Malaysia.
  10. Chin AC, Chen CD, Low VL, Lee HL, Azidah AA, Lau KW, et al.
    J Econ Entomol, 2017 10 01;110(5):2247-2251.
    PMID: 29048583 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tox183
    This study was conducted using the glass chamber method to determine the susceptibility status of the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (L.) from 11 states in Malaysia to commercial mosquito coils containing four different active ingredients, namely metofluthrin, d-allethrin, d-trans allethrin, and prallethrin. Aedes aegypti exhibited various knockdown rates, ranging from 14.44% to 100.00%, 0.00% to 61.67%, 0.00% to 90.00%, and 0.00% to 13.33% for metofluthrin, d-allethrin, d-trans allethrin, and prallethrin, respectively. Overall, mortality rates ranging from 0.00% to 78.33% were also observed among all populations. Additionally, significant associations were detected between the knockdown rates of metofluthrin and d-allethrin, and between metofluthrin and d-trans allethrin, suggesting the occurrence of cross-resistance within pyrethroid insecticides. Overall, this study revealed low insecticidal activity of mosquito coils against Ae. aegypti populations in Malaysia, and consequently may provide minimal personal protection against mosquito bites.
  11. Low VL, Tan TK, Prakash BK, Vinnie-Siow WY, Tay ST, Masmeatathip R, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2017 07 19;7(1):5871.
    PMID: 28724923 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05921-w
    Uncovering the hidden diversity and evolutionary history of arthropods of medico-veterinary importance could have significant implications for vector-borne disease control and epidemiological intervention. The buffalo fly Haematobia exigua is an obligate bloodsucking ectoparasite of livestock. As an initial step towards understanding its population structures and biogeographic patterns, we characterized partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (Cytb) sequences of H. exigua from three distinct geographic regions in Southeast Asia. We detected two distinct mitochondrial haplogroups of H. exigua in our surveyed geographic regions. Haplogroup I is widespread in the Southeast Asian mainland whereas haplogroup II is generally restricted to the type population Java Island. Both haplogroups were detected co-occurring on Borneo Island. Additionally, both haplogroups have undergone contrasting evolutionary histories, with haplogroup I exhibited a high level of mitochondrial diversity indicating a population expansion during the Pleistocene era dating back to 98,000 years ago. However, haplogroup II presented a low level of mitochondrial diversity which argues against the hypothesis of recent demographic expansion.
  12. Takaoka H, Sofian-Azirun M, Ya'cob Z, Chen CD, Lau KW, Low VL, et al.
    Zootaxa, 2017 May 05;4261(1):1-165.
    PMID: 28609891 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4261.1.1
    The biodiversity of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae), which are biting insects of medical and veterinary importance, is strikingly high in Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. In 2013, we began to explore the fauna of black flies in Vietnam, which has so far been poorly studied. In this monograph, the wealth of the biodiversity of black flies in Vietnam is also confirmed on the basis of the results of our recent investigations, though limited to five provinces in the country.      Morphotaxonomic studies of black flies obtained from Sapa, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam, in 2014 and Nghe An Province, northern Vietnam, in 2015, and reexaminations of black flies collected from Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc Province, northern Vietnam, in 2013, Thua Thien Hue Province, central Vietnam, in 2014, and Lam Dong Province, southern Vietnam, in 2014, were conducted. A total of 22 species are described as new, including one in the newly recorded subgenus Montisimulium Rubtsov, and three species are recognized as new records from Vietnam. This investigation brings the number of species of black flies known in Vietnam to 70, all of which are assigned to the genus Simulium Latreille, and are placed in four subgenera (25 in Gomphostilbia Enderlein, one in Montisimulium, seven in Nevermannia Enderlein, and 37 in Simulium Latreille s. str.). The numbers of species-groups recognized include seven in Gomphostilbia, three in Nevermannia and nine in Simulium, indicating a high diversity of putative phylogenetic lineages. New species include S. (G.) sanchayense sp. nov. (= the species formerly regarded as S. (G.) brinchangense Takaoka, Sofian-Azirun & Hashim), S. (S.) lowi sp. nov. (= the species formerly regarded as S. (S.) brevipar Takaoka & Davies), S. (S.) fuscicoxae sp. nov. [= the species formerly regarded as S. (S.) rufibasis Brunetti (in part)], S. (S.) suoivangense sp. nov. [= morphoform 'b' of the S. (S.) tani Takaoka & Davies (complex)]. Newly recorded species are S. (G.) parahiyangum Takaoka & Sigit, S. (N.) maeaiense Takaoka & Srisuka, and S. (S.) doipuiense Takaoka & Choochote (complex) [= the species formerly regarded as S. (S.) rufibasis Brunetti (in part)]. The substitute name, S. (S.) huense, is given for the species that was described under the name of S. (S.) cavum from southern Vietnam. A redescription of the female, male, pupa and larva of S. (G.) asakoae Takaoka & Davies is presented, and the female and larva of S. (G.) hongthaii Takaoka, Sofian-Azirun & Ya'cob are described for the first time. Keys to 10 subgenera in the Oriental Region and all 70 species recorded from Vietnam are provided for females, males, pupae and mature larvae.      As investigations extend nationwide in all the provinces in Vietnam, more new species and records are expected to be discovered. It is hoped that this monograph will be useful as a baseline taxonomic reference for future studies of black flies in Vietnam and neighbouring countries.
  13. Takaoka H, Sofian-Azirun M, Ya'cob Z, Chen CD, Lau KW, Low VL, et al.
    Acta Trop, 2017 May;169:170-186.
    PMID: 28115156 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.01.016
    Surveys of pupae and larvae of black flies were carried out in Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa and Flores in the Lesser Sunda Archipelago, Indonesia, where 10 species were known. A total of 14 simuliid species including four new species and five new records of the genus Simulium were collected, bringing the number of species from the Lesser Sunda Archipelago to 19. They are classified into four subgenera: two in Nevermannia, nine in Gomphostilbia, seven in Simulium and one in Wallacellum. One of four new species, Simulium (Simulium) baliense, is described based on females, males, pupae and larvae from Bali and Lombok. This new species, which is placed in the Simulium striatum species-group of the subgenus Simulium, is closely related to S. (S.) argyrocinctum De Meijere from Java and Sumatra, but it is distinguished from the latter species by the smaller number of the male enlarged upper-eye facets and larval abdomen lacking dorsal pairs of conical protuberances. The distribution record of S. (S.) upikae Takaoka & Davies from Flores is corrected as that of S. (S.) eximium De Meijere. Some aberrant characters of the pupal gill filaments of S. (G.) atratum De Meijere, S. (G.) floresense Takaoka, Hadi & Sigit and S. (G.) sunapii Takaoka, Sofian-Azirun & Suana are illustrated. Characteristics of the fauna of black flies in this archipelago are briefly noted. Keys to all 19 species are provided for females, males, pupae and larvae.
  14. Takaoka H, Sofian-Azirun M, Chen CD, Lau KW, Halim MRA, Low VL, et al.
    J Med Entomol, 2017 May 01;54(3):576-586.
    PMID: 27974360 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw208
    Two new species, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) sunapii and S. (G.) rangatense, are described based on adults, pupae, and mature larvae from Flores, in the eastern part of the Sunda Archipelago, Indonesia. Simulium (G.) sunapii sp. nov. is placed in the S. asakoae species-group, representing the easternmost geographical record for the group in this archipelago. It is characterized by a small number of male upper-eye large facets in eight or nine vertical columns and 12 horizontal rows. Simulium (G.) rangatense sp. nov. is placed in the S. ceylonicum species-group and is characterized by the pupal gill with six filaments. This new species, together with two related species of the S. ceylonicum species-group in Flores, suggests the species radiation of this species-group might have been accompanied by a reduction of the number of pupal gill filaments from eight to four through six. Taxonomic notes are provided to distinguish these two new species from related species.
  15. Uni S, Mat Udin AS, Agatsuma T, Saijuntha W, Junker K, Ramli R, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2017 Apr 20;10(1):194.
    PMID: 28427478 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2105-9
    BACKGROUND: The filarial nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti (Cobbold, 1877), Brugia malayi (Brug, 1927) and B. timori Partono, Purnomo, Dennis, Atmosoedjono, Oemijati & Cross, 1977 cause lymphatic diseases in humans in the tropics, while B. pahangi (Buckley & Edeson, 1956) infects carnivores and causes zoonotic diseases in humans in Malaysia. Wuchereria bancrofti, W. kalimantani Palmieri, Pulnomo, Dennis & Marwoto, 1980 and six out of ten Brugia spp. have been described from Australia, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka and India. However, the origin and evolution of the species in the Wuchereria-Brugia clade remain unclear. While investigating the diversity of filarial parasites in Malaysia, we discovered an undescribed species in the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard & Duvaucel (Mammalia: Scandentia).

    METHODS: We examined 81 common treeshrews from 14 areas in nine states and the Federal Territory of Peninsular Malaysia for filarial parasites. Once any filariae that were found had been isolated, we examined their morphological characteristics and determined the partial sequences of their mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and 12S rRNA genes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region were then cloned into the pGEM-T vector, and the recombinant plasmids were used as templates for sequencing.

    RESULTS: Malayfilaria sofiani Uni, Mat Udin & Takaoka, n. g., n. sp. is described based on the morphological characteristics of adults and microfilariae found in common treeshrews from Jeram Pasu, Kelantan, Malaysia. The Kimura 2-parameter distance between the cox1 gene sequences of the new species and W. bancrofti was 11.8%. Based on the three gene sequences, the new species forms a monophyletic clade with W. bancrofti and Brugia spp. The adult parasites were found in tissues surrounding the lymph nodes of the neck of common treeshrews.

    CONCLUSIONS: The newly described species appears most closely related to Wuchereria spp. and Brugia spp., but differs from these in several morphological characteristics. Molecular analyses based on the cox1 and 12S rRNA genes and the ITS1 region indicated that this species differs from both W. bancrofti and Brugia spp. at the genus level. We thus propose a new genus, Malayfilaria, along with the new species M. sofiani.

  16. Takaoka H, Sofian-Azirun M, Chen CD, Lau KW, Halim MR, Low VL, et al.
    Zootaxa, 2017 Feb 21;4236(1):zootaxa.4236.1.8.
    PMID: 28264343 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4236.1.8
    Simulium (Gomphostilbia) lemborense sp. nov. is described based on adults, pupae and mature larvae from Flores, in the eastern part of the Sunda Archipelago, Indonesia. This new species is placed in the Simulium batoense species-group of the subgenus Gomphostilbia Enderlein, representing the most eastern distribution record for the group. This new species is characterized by a narrow female frons and pupal gill with eight filaments, of which two filaments of the ventral pair are three to four times as long as the six other filaments. Taxonomic notes are provided to distinguish this new species from related species.
  17. Takaoka H, Sofian-Azirun M, Ya'cob Z, Chen CD, Low VL, Harmonis
    J Med Entomol, 2016 07;53(4):798-806.
    PMID: 27099400
    A new simuliid species, Simulium kalimantanense sp. nov., is described on the basis of females, males, pupae, and mature larvae from East Kalimantan, Indonesia, and is assigned to the Simulium banauense species-group of Simulium (Gomphostilbia). This new species has close similarities to S alienigenum Takaoka from the Philippines, in many characters including the adult antennal color pattern and pupal gill with four long filaments arranged in two pairs each bearing a long stalk, but is distinguished from the latter in the female by the longer sensory vesicle and in the pupa by the gill with an elongate common basal stalk. Simulium kalimantanense sp. nov. is the first member of the S. banauense group in Borneo, and marks the most southerly distribution of the group. Keys to identify 19 Bornean species of the subgenus Gomphostilbia are provided.
  18. Low VL, Takaoka H, Pramual P, Adler PH, Ya'cob Z, Chen CD, et al.
    J Med Entomol, 2016 07;53(4):972-976.
    PMID: 27208009
    We access the molecular diversity of the black fly Simulium nobile De Mejiere, using the universal cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) barcoding gene, across its distributional range in Southeast Asia. Our phylogenetic analyses recovered three well-supported mitochondrial lineages of S. nobile, suggesting the presence of cryptic species. Lineage A is composed of a population from Sabah, East Malaysia (Borneo); lineage B represents the type population from Java, Indonesia; and lineage C includes populations from the mainland of Southeast Asia (Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand). The genetic variation of lineage C on the mainland is greater than that of lineages A and B on the islands of Borneo and Java. Our study highlights the value of a molecular approach in assessing species status of simuliids in geographically distinct regions.
  19. Low VL, Takaoka H, Pramual P, Adler PH, Ya'cob Z, Huang YT, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2016 Feb 03;6:20346.
    PMID: 26839292 DOI: 10.1038/srep20346
    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.
  20. Takaoka H, Sofian-Azirun M, Ya'cob Z, Chen CD, Low VL, Zaid A
    J Med Entomol, 2016 Jan;53(1):76-82.
    PMID: 26516192 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjv154
    Simulium (Gomphostilbia) merapiense sp. nov. is described based on females, males, pupae, and mature larvae from Yagyakarta, Java, Indonesia. This new species is placed in the Simulium epistum species-group, and is characterized by the pupal gill with eight short filaments all arising at the same level from a short stalk, somewhat enlarged basal fenestra, entirely bare pupal head and thoracic integument, and small and short larval postgenal cleft. These characters rarely are found in the subgenus. Taxonomic notes are given to separate this new species from related species of the S. epistum species-group.
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