Molecular markers for Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera Psychodidae) and their usefulness for population genetic analysis

Three molecular typing tools: multilocus microsatellite typing, cytochrome b
sequence analysis and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequence analysis, were evaluated
for their usefulness in inferring the population structure of Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies.
ITS2 sequence analysis did not prove suitable for inferring phylogenetic and population genetic
relationships across P. papatasi sand flies. Microsatellite markers showed high resolution in
differentiating globally distributed P. papatasi populations, whereas cytochrome b sequence
analysis provided insight into the relationships between closely related populations from the
Mediterranean. Population structure, differentiation and demographic history among P. papatasi
are important for understanding patterns of dispersal in this species and for planning
appropriate control measures.