New record of Haemagogus janthinomys (Diptera:Culicidae) in Chaco Province, Argentina, main vector of Yellow fever virus.

CANO, M. E; MUTTIS, E; AYALA, M; BALSALOBRE, A; BRIVIDORO, M; MICIELI M.V; MARTI G.A

La Plata

Congreso; II Congreso Latinoamericano de Ecología de Vectores (LA SOVE); 2022

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Yellow fever is an endemic zoonotic disease from Africa and America, with an urban and a sylvatic cycle. Mosquitoes are vectors of Yellow fever virus (YFV) in both cycles, but different species are involved in each one. In America, species belong to the genera Haemagogus and Sabethes are considered as main and secondary vectors in the sylvatic transmission, with Haemagogus janthinomys as the main vector species. During the last years, neighboring countries of Argentina: Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, reported YF outbreaks each time closer to the border. Regarding geographical distribution, this species is distributed from northern Argentina and southern Brazil to Honduras and Nicaragua. In our country Hg. janthinomys, inhabits the provinces of Salta, Jujuy, La Rioja, Tucumán and Catamarca so far. The objective of this work is to update the distribution patterns, mainly in the north of Argentina where this species has not been recorded. The sampling was made in “El Impenetrable” National Park, Chaco province, during february 2022. Adult mosquitoes were captured with entomologic nets and CDC traps (supplemented with CO2) and immature stages were collected from tree holes using pipettes. Some larvae were reared until adult emergence while others were stored in 70 % alcohol for future studies. We found a total of 17 specimens morphologically similar to Hg. janthinomys species (15 females and 2 males). Regarding sampling methods, 65% (n=11) was captured with entomologic nets; 6% (n=1) with CDC traps; and 29% (n=5) (immature stages) with pipettes. Due to the difficulty of distinguishing females of Hg. janthinomys and Hg. capricornii species, because of their morphological similarity, we proceeded to amplify a segment of the mitochondrial gene COI (cytochrome oxidase c subunit I) for molecular identification of species. In order to obtain the COI sequences, one leg from each of three specimens was removed and standard protocols to DNA purification and sequence amplification were performed. The COI sequences performed by Macrogen were compared with those stored in the BOLD repository. We found 94% of similarity with previously published sequences of Hg. janthinomys. This study is the first record of Hg. janthinomys in Chaco province (and Chaco Seco ecorregion) expanding its distribution, and determines a starting point for ecological studies.