GULF OF GUINEA CONSERVATION GROUP

GULF OF GUINEA ISLANDS' BIODIVERSITY NETWORK

The Simuliidae (Diptera) of the Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, including the description of a new species

MUSTAPHA, M., JARVIS, W. & POST, R. J.

Abstract

Identifications were made of 1122 simuliid larvae and pupae (including neonate adults) collected from 29 localities during November 1998, on the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea. Three species, including one new species, were found on São Tomé. Simulium (Pomeroyellum) santomi sp. n. was particularly abundant in the eastern part of the island, whereas the western part was dominated by Simulium (Anasolen) dentulosum Roubaud. In the north-eastern corner Simulium (Pomeroyellum) alcocki Pomeroy was also found. On Príncipe only S. dentulosum was found. Findings are briefly discussed in relation to speciation on oceanic islands and vis-à-vis human onchocerciasis (river blindness).

African Invertebrates 2004 45:143-145