Diversity of Glossinidae (Diptera) species in The Gambia in relation to vegetation

Abstract

Glossina species are known to transmit African Trypanosomiasis, one of the most important infectious diseases for both livestock and humans in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize trapped Glossina spp. from The Gambia using morphological and molecular techniques in relation to the vegetation cover types. A line transect survey was carried out in all the administrative regions of The Gambia. Tsetse fly trapping was carried out for 14 days during each season using line transect. A total of 220 Glossina spp. specimens (117 F and 103 M) were captured, and DNA was extracted from the legs of 100 randomly selected Glossina spp. Further, DNA samples were tested by a conventional PCR assay. A total of 135/220 (61%; 95% CI: 54.6-67.8%) and 85/220 (39%; 95% CI: 32.2-45.4%) flies were identified as Glossina morsitans submorsitans and Glossina palpalis gambiensis, respectively, with most caught during wet season (53.6%) and more females (53.2%) than males. Results of the morphological identification agreed with those of molecular identification. The type of vegetation cover significantly influenced the caught of tsetse flies. Animals and humans at the various trapping sites are at risk of being bitten by tsetse flies.