Multi-modal Analysis of Courtship Behaviour in the Old World Leishmaniasis Vector Phlebotomus argentipes
Background The sand fly Phlebotomus argentipes is arguably the most important vector of leishmaniasis worldwide. As there is no vaccine against the parasites that cause leishmaniasis, disease prevention focuses on control of the insect vector. Understanding reproductive behaviour will be essentia...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PLOS
2014
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| Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/16595/ http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/16595/1/Multi-modal%20Analysis%20of%20Courtship%20Behaviour%28abstract%29.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848838097710612480 |
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| author | Bray, Daniel P. Khatijah, Yaman Underhilll, Beryl A. Mitchell, Fraser Carter, Victoria Hamilton, James G.C. |
| author_facet | Bray, Daniel P. Khatijah, Yaman Underhilll, Beryl A. Mitchell, Fraser Carter, Victoria Hamilton, James G.C. |
| author_sort | Bray, Daniel P. |
| building | UNIMAS Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background
The sand fly Phlebotomus argentipes is arguably the most important vector of leishmaniasis worldwide. As there is no vaccine against the parasites that cause leishmaniasis, disease prevention focuses on control of the insect vector. Understanding reproductive behaviour will be essential to controlling populations of P. argentipes, and developing new strategies for reducing leishmaniasis transmission. Through statistical analysis of male-female interactions, this study provides a detailed description of P. argentipes courtship, and behaviours critical to mating success are highlighted. The potential for a role of cuticular hydrocarbons in P. argentipes courtship is also investigated, by comparing chemicals extracted from the surface of male and female flies.
Principal Findings
P. argentipes courtship shared many similarities with that of both Phlebotomus papatasi and the New World leishmaniasis vector Lutzomyia longipalpis. Male wing-flapping while approaching the female during courtship predicted mating success, and touching between males and females was a common and frequent occurrence. Both sexes were able to reject a potential partner. Significant differences were found in the profile of chemicals extracted from the surface of males and females. Results of GC analysis indicate that female extracts contained a number of peaks with relatively short retention times not present in males. Extracts from males had higher peaks for chemicals with relatively long retention times.
Conclusions
The importance of male approach flapping suggests that production of audio signals through wing beating, or dispersal of sex pheromones, are important to mating in this species. Frequent touching as a means of communication, and the differences in the chemical profiles extracted from males and females, may also indicate a role for cuticular hydrocarbons in P. argentipes courtship. Comparing characteristics of successful and unsuccessful mates could aid in identifying the modality of signals involved in P. argentipes courtship, and their potential for use in developing new strategies for vector control. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T06:50:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | unimas-16595 |
| institution | Universiti Malaysia Sarawak |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T06:50:08Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | PLOS |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | unimas-165952017-06-12T05:57:16Z http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/16595/ Multi-modal Analysis of Courtship Behaviour in the Old World Leishmaniasis Vector Phlebotomus argentipes Bray, Daniel P. Khatijah, Yaman Underhilll, Beryl A. Mitchell, Fraser Carter, Victoria Hamilton, James G.C. RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine Background The sand fly Phlebotomus argentipes is arguably the most important vector of leishmaniasis worldwide. As there is no vaccine against the parasites that cause leishmaniasis, disease prevention focuses on control of the insect vector. Understanding reproductive behaviour will be essential to controlling populations of P. argentipes, and developing new strategies for reducing leishmaniasis transmission. Through statistical analysis of male-female interactions, this study provides a detailed description of P. argentipes courtship, and behaviours critical to mating success are highlighted. The potential for a role of cuticular hydrocarbons in P. argentipes courtship is also investigated, by comparing chemicals extracted from the surface of male and female flies. Principal Findings P. argentipes courtship shared many similarities with that of both Phlebotomus papatasi and the New World leishmaniasis vector Lutzomyia longipalpis. Male wing-flapping while approaching the female during courtship predicted mating success, and touching between males and females was a common and frequent occurrence. Both sexes were able to reject a potential partner. Significant differences were found in the profile of chemicals extracted from the surface of males and females. Results of GC analysis indicate that female extracts contained a number of peaks with relatively short retention times not present in males. Extracts from males had higher peaks for chemicals with relatively long retention times. Conclusions The importance of male approach flapping suggests that production of audio signals through wing beating, or dispersal of sex pheromones, are important to mating in this species. Frequent touching as a means of communication, and the differences in the chemical profiles extracted from males and females, may also indicate a role for cuticular hydrocarbons in P. argentipes courtship. Comparing characteristics of successful and unsuccessful mates could aid in identifying the modality of signals involved in P. argentipes courtship, and their potential for use in developing new strategies for vector control. PLOS 2014-12 Article PeerReviewed text en http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/16595/1/Multi-modal%20Analysis%20of%20Courtship%20Behaviour%28abstract%29.pdf Bray, Daniel P. and Khatijah, Yaman and Underhilll, Beryl A. and Mitchell, Fraser and Carter, Victoria and Hamilton, James G.C. (2014) Multi-modal Analysis of Courtship Behaviour in the Old World Leishmaniasis Vector Phlebotomus argentipes. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 8 (12). ISSN 1935-2727 http://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0003316 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003316 |
| spellingShingle | RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine Bray, Daniel P. Khatijah, Yaman Underhilll, Beryl A. Mitchell, Fraser Carter, Victoria Hamilton, James G.C. Multi-modal Analysis of Courtship Behaviour in the Old World Leishmaniasis Vector Phlebotomus argentipes |
| title | Multi-modal Analysis of Courtship Behaviour in the Old
World Leishmaniasis Vector Phlebotomus argentipes |
| title_full | Multi-modal Analysis of Courtship Behaviour in the Old
World Leishmaniasis Vector Phlebotomus argentipes |
| title_fullStr | Multi-modal Analysis of Courtship Behaviour in the Old
World Leishmaniasis Vector Phlebotomus argentipes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-modal Analysis of Courtship Behaviour in the Old
World Leishmaniasis Vector Phlebotomus argentipes |
| title_short | Multi-modal Analysis of Courtship Behaviour in the Old
World Leishmaniasis Vector Phlebotomus argentipes |
| title_sort | multi-modal analysis of courtship behaviour in the old
world leishmaniasis vector phlebotomus argentipes |
| topic | RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine |
| url | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/16595/ http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/16595/ http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/16595/ http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/16595/1/Multi-modal%20Analysis%20of%20Courtship%20Behaviour%28abstract%29.pdf |