Latin American Abstract Submission
Disease/Vector Studies
The microbiota found in sand flies, a subfamily known as Phlebotominae, constitutes a complex system situated at the intersection of ecology, parasitology, and immunology. However, it is crucial to consider the impact of anthropogenic disturbance when analyzing how environmental alterations can influence the composition of the biological communities in which these flies interact, potentially affecting their microbiota. To address this issue, we conducted collections of sand flies by placing light traps in both undisturbed and anthropogenically disturbed areas. Subsequently, we sequenced the bacteria and Leishmania present in each species of sand fly with the aim of establishing their microcosms in different environments. Our specific objectives were as follows: 1. Characterize the bacterial diversity present in these sand flies. 2. Evaluate the presence of Leishmania in sand fly populations. 3. Compare the microcosm structure in different environments. To achieve this, we calculated alpha and beta diversity indices to determine differences based on the collection areas. In total, our study involved the collection and analysis of a total of 549 individuals distributed across 20 species, along with three unidentified specimens. The results revealed the presence of Leishmania in 10% of the specimens analyzed, Wolbachia in 7%, and a significant diversity of bacteria in 54% of cases. In conclusion, our findings underscore the importance of understanding sand fly microbiota in the context of environmental disturbance. The bipartite analysis in this study is useful for comprehending the complexity of interactions between different species in an ecosystem and may have significant applications in biodiversity conservation. This information can be pivotal for ecosystem management, conservation efforts, and addressing potential implications for public health.