Revision of the fleas of the genus Plocopsylla belonging to the complex angusticeps-lewisi in the Andean region in Argentina, with the description of a new species".

SANCHEZ, JULIANA P.; BEAUCOURNU, J.C.; LARESCHI, MARCELA

MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2015 vol. 29 p. 147 - 158

0269-283X

In Argentina, the Andean biogeographic region comprises the greatest diversity of fleas of the country. Craneopsyllinae is one of the best represented subfamilies in this region, with some endemisms and a high diversity. Plocopsylla is the most diverse genus of Craneopsyllinae, including ten species that are mainly distributed in the Patagonian subregion, parasitizing sigmodontine rodents (Cricetidae). We describe and illustrate the morphology of the aedeagus of the species of Plocopsylla that belongs to the angusticeps-lewisi complex. This character has diagnostic value to differentiate species. A new species of this complex, Plocopsylla (Plocopsylla) linardii sp. n., is described and recognized by the shape and chaetotaxy of the distal arm of sternite IX, as well as by the shape of the median dorsal lobe of the aedeagus. We report new host associations for this complex, and range extensions for most of its species. Plocopsylla (P.) silewi is reported for the first time in Argentina, and P. (P.) lewisi and P. (P.) wilesi extend the southern limit of their distribution to Santa Cruz Province. The ?angusticeps- lewisi? complex is found for the first time in San Juan Province. The information may be useful in epidemiological studies of flea-borne diseases.