Sand fly (Phlebotominae) activity and abundance in vertical strata in a tropical dry forest in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

The study of the insect vectors dynamics in a vertical forest gradient
provides basic information on aspects of their natural history that
influence the rate of pathogen transmission. Thus, we analyzed the
temporal dynamics of sand fly species along vertical strata of a tropical
dry forest in Yucatan, an area previously identified as a transmission
hotspot for Leishmania mexicana. We compared the richness and abundance of
sand fly species between the underground and canopy stratum. Then, we
analyzed their relationship with environmental variables such as
temperature and humidity. No significant differences in species diversity
and abundance were detected between the two ecotopes. Psathyromyia
shannoni and Dampfomyia deleoni were the only species structured in the
vertical dimension. Observed diversity in both strata responded similarly
across both monthly and seasonal time scales. Data analyses indicated that
relative humidity influenced the vertical distribution of Pa. shannoni and
Da. deleoni, although the magnitude and direction of this effect varied by
species. Psathyromyia shannoni exhibited contrasting responses to relative
humidity between the canopy and the understory, independent of sex,
suggesting that additional environmental factors not assessed in this
study may modulate its vertical structure.