Morphology of the larvae, male genitalia and DNA sequences of Anopheles (Kerteszia) pholidotus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Colombia

Since 1984, Anopheles (Kerteszia) lepidotus has been considered a mosquito species that is involved in the transmission of malaria in Colombia, after having been incriminated as such with epidemiological evidence from a malaria outbreak in Cunday-Villarrica, Tolima. Subsequent morphological analyses of females captured in the same place and at the time of the outbreak showed that the species responsible for the transmission was not An. lepidotus, but rather Anopheles pholidotus. However, the associated morphological stages and DNA sequences of An. pholidotus from the foci of Cunday-Villarrica had not been analysed. Using samples that were caught recently from the outbreak region, the purpose of this study was to provide updated and additional information by analysing the morphology of female mosquitoes, the genitalia of male mosquitoes and fourth instar larvae of An. pholidotus, which was confirmed with DNA sequences of cytochrome oxidase I and rDNA internal transcribed spacer. A total of 1,596 adult females were collected in addition to 37 larval collections in bromeliads. Furthermore, 141 adult females, which were captured from the same area in the years 1981-1982, were analysed morphologically. Ninety-five DNA sequences were analysed for this study. Morphological and molecular analyses showed that the species present in this region corresponds to An. pholidotus. Given the absence of An. lepidotus, even in recent years, we consider that the species of mosquitoes that was previously incriminated as the malaria vector during the outbreak was indeed An. pholidotus, thus ending the controversy.

Illustrated keys to the mosquitoes of Thailand V. Genera Orthopodomyia, Kimia, Malaya, Topomyia, Tripteroides, and Toxorhynchites.

Illustrated keys for the identification of the fourth-instar larvae and adults of species representing six genera of mosquitoes in Thailand are presented, along with information about the geographic distribution of the species and the habitats occupied by their immature stages. Fifty-nine species belonging to genera Orthopodomyia, Kimia, Malaya, Topomyia, Tripteroides, and Toxorhynchites are recognized. Topomyia argyropalpis, To. bifurcata, To. gracilis, To. spathulirostris, To. tenuis, To. tipuliformis, and To. vijayae are included as new country records, and ten undescribed species, four in Topomyia, four in Toxorhynchites, and two in Tripteroides, are recognized.

Illustrated keys to the mosquitoes of Thailand. IV. Anopheles.

Illustrated keys for the identification of the larvae and adult female Anopheles mosquitoes of Thailand are presented along with distribution maps, tabulated bionomics information, and a checklist. A total of 73 species are treated, including 71 previously and newly described species (An. cracens = dirus B, An. scanloni = dirus C, An. baimaii = dirus D, An. latens = leucosphyrus A, and An. epiroticus = sundaicus A). Also, two undescribed species are included, i.e., An. minimus C and a new species near An. gigas. Thirty-four chromosomal forms of 14 species are discussed, with suggestions provided for resolving their taxonomic status.

Illustrated keys to the mosquitoes of Thailand III. Genera Aedeomyia, Ficalbia, Mimomyia, Hodgesia, Coquillettidia, Mansonia, and Uranotaenia.

Illustrated keys for the identification of fourth-instar larvae and adult females of seven genera of mosquitoes are presented, along with the geographic distribution of each species and the known immature habitats. Sixty-seven mosquito species belonging to genera Aedeomyia, Ficalbia, Mimomyia, Hodgesia, Coquillettidia, Mansonia, and Uranotaenia are recognized in Thailand. Hodgesia bailyi and Uranotaenia (Pfc.) abstrusa are included as new country records, and four new undescribed species in the subgenus Uranotaenia are reported.

Illustrated keys to the mosquitoes of Thailand. II. Genera Culex and Lutzia.

Illustrated keys for the identification of the fourth-instar larvae and adult females of the mosquito genera Culex and Lutzia is presented, along with information on the geographic distribution of each species, and bionomics. Eighty-two species belonging to subgenera Culex, Culiciomyia, Eumelanomyia, Lophoceraomyia, and Oculeomyia of genus Culex, and three species belonging to subgenus Metalutzia of genus Lutzia are recognized in Thailand. Subgenus Oculeomyia includes a probable new species near Cx. infula and Lt. vorax is recognized as a new country record.

Illustrated keys to the mosquitoes of Thailand I. Background; geographic distribution; lists of genera, subgenera, and species; and a key to the genera.

This is the first of a series of six sections that will cover 436 species of mosquitoes currently known to occur in Thailand. In this section we provide information on the background, geographic distribution, bionomics, lists of genera, subgenera, and specie of mosquitoes that occur in Thailand, and a key to the genera. The sections, listed below will be published as separate supplements in following issues of this journal: II. Key to the Culex; III. Key to the Aedeomyia, Ficalbia, Mimomyia, Hodgesia, Coquillettidia, Mansonia, and Uranotaenia. The additional 3 supplements consisting of the Key to the Tribe Aedini; Key to the Anopheles; and the Keys to the Armigeres, Heizmannia, Orthopodomyia, Malaya, Topomyia, Tripteroides, and Toxorhynchites will be published as they are completed. At the conclusion of this project, one large supplement to the Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health will be produced that includes all of these keys in a single document.