The cytotaxonomy of Simulium damnosum s.l. (Diptera: Simuliidae) from the Thyolo onchocerciasis focus in Malawi and description of a new member of the complex

Abstract

Larvae of the Simulium damnosum complex were collected in southern Malawi, in particular from the Thyolo onchocerciasis focus. Cytological identifications revealed the occurrence of S. (Edwardsellum) thyolense sp.nov., S. kilibanum Gouteux, ‘Ketaketa’, a new cytoform tentatively designated ‘Mwamphanzi’, and two unassigned specimens. Simulium thyolense sp.nov. is presumably the major vector of Onchocerca volvulus in the area, but it remains possible that the other cytospecies are secondary vectors. Simulium thyolense sp.nov. is most appropriately classified near the ‘Sanje’ subcomplex, whereas ‘Mwamphanzi’ and the unassigned specimens are members of the ‘Ketaketa’ subcomplex.