Sandfly species composition along an altitudinal transect in southern Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

Sandflies were sampled in three areas of Southern Sinai, representing different ecological conditions and defined by altitudes. Of 489 specimens collected, 486 sandflies were identified : Phlebotomus papatasi, P. bergeroti, P. alexandri, P. sergenti, P. kazeruni, P. orientalis, P. arabicus, P. major, Sergentomyia tiberiadis, S. adleri/elydei, S. sehwetzi, S. palestinensis, S. fatlax and S. christophersi. Sandfly community composition and relative species abundance differed in the three areas and included two species in Abu Rudeis (on coast), 13 species in Feiran oasis and 12 species in St. Catherine (highest altitude). Species composition also differed bet ween wild and peridomestic habitats in each area, with species diversity greater in wild habitats.