Molecular systematics of the phlebotomine sandflies of the subgenus Paraphlebotomus (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotomus) based on ITS2 rDNA sequences. Hypotheses of dispersion and speciation

Phylogenetic Paraphlebotomus relationships are inferred by a study based on the sequences of ITS2, which has been sequenced in nine Paraphlebotomus species: P. alexandri, P. andrejevi, P. jacusieli, P. kazeruni, P. mireillae, P. mongolensis, P. saevus, P. sergenti and P. similis and in two out-groups species of the subgenus Phlebotomus: P. papatasi and P. duboscqi. Paraphlebotomus alexandri appears as the sister group of all other Paraphlebotomus sandflies. Among the other species, three groupings are clearly highlighted: andrejevi and mongolensis; mireillae and saevus; jacusieli, kazeruni, sergenti and similis. These groupings are related to speculations about the migration of Paraphlebotomus from a centre of dispersion located in the Middle East sometime from the early Eocene to the late Miocene.