Altitudinal structuring of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the High-Atlas mountains (Morocco) and its relation to the risk of leishmaniasis transmission

This paper presents the results of entomological surveys on phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the Haouz of Marrakech and High-Atlas mountains (Morocco). Sand flies were captured with sticky traps from 25 stations with altitudes ranging between 400 and 1400 m. A total of 2742 specimens belonging to nine phlebotomine species was collected, Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perniciosus Newstead being the predominant species. There was a remarkable difference in the diversity of the sand fly fauna among the altitudes. Two associations of sand fly faunas were determined, the first one in lower altitude and the second one in higher altitude. The significance of the predominant species at any altitude range was discussed in terms of the risk of transmission of leishmaniasis.