TAXONOMIC STUDIES OF SERGENTOMYIA THEODORI PASHTUNICA ARTEMIEV, 1974 IN SINDH AND PUNJAB AND ITS PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIP WITH ITS CLOSEST ALLIES

A survey was done to develop taxonomic record of sand flies Sergentomyia (Segentomyia) theodori pashtunica Artemiev,1974 in Sindh and Punjab as it is first time recorded from the endemic localities of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sindh and Punjab provinces. In view of the published reports about the detection of encephalitis viruses from the species of the genus Sergentomyia Franca and Theodor from the Indian localities and their possible role in kala-azar transmission, the correct identification of the sand fly species becomes of significant value in the study of epidemiology of leishmaniasis and other viral diseases. Therefore, in order to facilitate Zoologists and Medical researchers in correct identification of S. theodori pashtunica, morphology of its taxonomic characters especially wings, cibarium, mouth parts, male and female genitalia is studied in detail and findings are presented in the present paper. A key is also given to this subspecies and its closest allies. In this light, its cladistic relationship with its closest allies is also briefly discussed.