Wing geometric morphometrics to distinguish and identify Haematobosca flies (Diptera: Muscidae) from Thailand
3
Issued Date
2023-08-01
Resource Type
ISSN
22132244
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85153249878
Journal Title
International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife
Volume
21
Start Page
74
End Page
82
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife Vol.21 (2023) , 74-82
Suggested Citation
Ardkhongharn N., Ravichotikul R., Aksornchai P., Weluwanarak T., Chaiphongpachara T., Changbunjong T. Wing geometric morphometrics to distinguish and identify Haematobosca flies (Diptera: Muscidae) from Thailand. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife Vol.21 (2023) , 74-82. 82. doi:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.04.008 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/81418
Title
Wing geometric morphometrics to distinguish and identify Haematobosca flies (Diptera: Muscidae) from Thailand
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
The hematophagous flies of the genus Haematobosca Bezzi, 1907 (Diptera: Muscidae) are important ectoparasites in domestic animals and wildlife. Two species of this genus have been recorded in Thailand, viz., Haematobosca sanguinolenta (Austen, 1909) and Haematobosca aberrans (Pont, Duvallet & Changbunjong, 2020). They have a similar morphology and coexist in the same habitat. The correct species identification of these flies is extremely important for understanding disease epidemiology and developing effective control measures. Geometric morphometrics (GM) has been confirmed to be a useful tool for differentiating and identifying morphologically similar insect species. Therefore, GM was used to distinguish and identify H. sanguinolenta and H. aberrans in Thailand. Adult flies of both sexes were collected using Nzi traps, morphologically identified, and analyzed by landmark-based GM of the wing. Results showed that GM was highly effective in distinguishing the two Haematobosca species based on their wing shape, with an overall accuracy score of 99.3%. We also revealed that our study material could be used as reference data to identify new field specimens collected from other geographic locations. We propose that wing GM can be used as a supplement to conventional morphology identification, particularly for Haematobosca specimen that has been damaged or has lost its diagnostic characteristics due to specimen collection and processing in the field.