Intraspecific variability (rDNA ITS and mtDNA Cyt b) of Phlebotomus sergenti in Spain and Morocco

Phlebotomus sergenti, the main vector of Leishmania tropica, is widely represented in Spain, whilst L. tropica is not an endemic species in this country. Nevertheless, the important human migrant flow from regions where L. tropica is endemic, the existence of its vector and the anthroponotic cycle of the parasite could lead to its establishment in our country. The vectorial capacity of P. sergenti could depend on the existence of cryptic species or races, which can only be identified by molecular methods. Our aim has been to study the molecular variation on two genes of Spanish populations of P. sergenti, comparing them with Moroccan ones. We have identified 5 ribosomal and 16 mitochondrial haplotypes. The results obtained indicate a high diversity of P. sergenti in Spain and the existence in the country of two P. sergenti lineages, a typically Spanish mitochondrial lineage and another one common in Morocco, where L. tropica is endemic in the south and emergent in the north and centre of the country.