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Journal article
An updated checklist of Culicoides Latreille, 1809 biting midges from the highlands of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Early View
2026
Abstract
The highlands of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are home to critically endangered eastern gorillas (Gorilla beringei). Concerns have been raised that the increased temperatures and extreme weather conditions associated with climate change will lead to an increase in the abundance and distribution of Culicoides-borne diseases. Here, we utilized an integrated morphological and molecular approach to identify Culicoides species in a small but significant collection of Culicoides captured from highland eastern gorilla habitat and surrounding areas and updated the Culicoides spp. reported from the highlands of the eastern DRC. A review of the literature related to Culicoides collections in the DRC was conducted in French and English. Recent worldwide checklists were consulted to rectify synonyms and other discrepancies found in the literature for the region. Fresh Culicoides specimens were collected, wings slide-mounted and remaining carcasses subjected to DNA extraction. A total of 82 Culicoides specimens were collected. From these, 75 high-quality DNA barcodes (658-bp of the mtDNA COI gene) were obtained, belonging to 14 distinct taxa, 11 of which were new records for the DRC, including C. bolitinos Meiswinkel, 1989, C. hortenis Khamala & Kettle, 1971, C. citroneus Carter, Ingram & Macfie, 1920, and C. radiomaculatus Khamala & Kettle, 1971, and seven species new to science (C. sp. nr. citroneus, C. sp. nr. glabripennis 1, C. sp. nr. glabripennis 2, C. sp. nr. kibatiensis 1, C. sp. nr. kibatiensis 2, C. sp. nr. neavei 1 and C. sp. nr. neavei 2), increasing the known Culicoides fauna of the DRC from 20 to 31. The presence of C. imicola Kieffer, 1913, C. enderleini Cornet & Brunhes, 1994 and C. neavei Austin, 1912, was confirmed. The potential health impact of the association of known Culicoides pathogen vectors with endangered gorillas is discussed.
Details
- Title
- An updated checklist of Culicoides Latreille, 1809 biting midges from the highlands of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Authors/Creators
- Alisa KubalaKristin Warren - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityRudolf MeiswinkelMichael CranfieldIan Robertson - Murdoch University, School of Veterinary MedicineLian Yeap - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityRebecca J Vaughan-Higgins - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityRadar NishuliEddy Kambale SyaluhaJean-Paul Kabemba LukusaMartin Kabuyaya BalyananziYvonne-Marie Linton
- Publication Details
- Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Early View
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal Entomological Society.
- Number of pages
- 19
- Identifiers
- 991005861090207891
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability; School of Veterinary Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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