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  1. Fulltext Tests of conspecificity for allopatric vectors: Simulium nodosum and Simulium shirakii (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Asia
    Low VL, Adler PH, Sofian-Azirun M, Srisuka W, Saeung A, Huang YT, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2015 May 29;8:297.
    PMID: 26022092 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0911-5
    BACKGROUND: Allopatric populations present challenges for biologists working with vectors. We suggest that conspecificity can be concluded in these cases when data from four character sets-chromosomal, ecological, molecular, and morphological-express variation no greater between the allopatric populations than between corresponding sympatric populations. We use this approach to test the conspecificity of Simulium nodosum Puri on the mainland of Southeast Asia and Simulium shirakii Kono & Takahasi in Taiwan. The validity of these two putative species has long been disputed given that they are morphologically indistinguishable.

    FINDINGS: The mitochondria-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA genes and the nuclear-encoded 28S rRNA gene support the conspecific status of S. nodosum from Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam and S. shirakii from Taiwan; 0 to 0.19 % genetic differences between the two taxa suggest intraspecific polymorphism. The banding patterns of the polytene chromosomes of the insular Taiwanese population of S. shirakii and mainland populations of S. nodosum are congruent. The overlapping ranges of habitat characteristics and hosts of S. nodosum and S. shirakii corroborate the chromosomal, molecular, and morphological data.

    CONCLUSIONS: Four independent sources of evidence (chromosomes, DNA, ecology, and morphology) support the conspecificity of S. nodosum and S. shirakii. We, therefore, synonymize S. shirakii with S. nodosum. This study provides a guide for applying the procedure of testing conspecificity to other sets of allopatric vectors.

  2. A New Black Fly Species of the Simulium (Gomphostilbia) duolongum Subgroup (Diptera: Simuliidae) From Vietnam, and Molecular Comparisons With Related Species Using the COI Barcoding Gene
    Takaoka H, Low VL, Tan TK, Ya'cob Z, Sofian-Azirun M, Dhang Chen C, et al.
    J Med Entomol, 2019 02 25;56(2):432-440.
    PMID: 30597034 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy222
    Simulium (Gomphostilbia) yvonneae sp. nov. is described based on adults, pupae, and mature larvae from Vietnam. This new species belongs to the Simulium duolongum subgroup in the S. batoense species-group of the subgenus Gomphostilbia Enderlein. It is distinguished by having a relatively larger number of male upper-eye facets in 16 vertical columns and 16 horizontal rows and a pupal gill with eight filaments arranged as 3+(1+2)+2 from dorsal to ventral, of which two filaments of the ventral pair are 1.8 times as long as the longest filament of the middle and dorsal triplets. Morphological comparisons are made to distinguish this new species from all 22 related species. The genetic distinctiveness of this new species in the S. duolongum subgroup is also presented based on the DNA barcoding COI gene.
  3. Fulltext Delineating taxonomic boundaries in the largest species complex of black flies (Simuliidae) in the Oriental Region
    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.
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