Genetic diversity in two sibling species of the Anopheles punctulatus group of mosquitoes on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands
2008

Genetic Diversity in Two Mosquito Species from Guadalcanal

Sample size: 92 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Hasan Arif U, Suguri Setsuo, Fujimoto Chigusa, Itaki Rodney L, Harada Masakazu, Kawabata Masato, Bugoro Hugo, Albino Bobogare

Primary Institution: Department of International Medical Zoology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University

Hypothesis

Is An. irenicus largely or completely sympatric with An. farauti s.s. on Guadalcanal?

Conclusion

An. irenicus and An. farauti s.s. are monophyletic sister species living in sympatry, with recent population expansions on Guadalcanal.

Supporting Evidence

  • An. farauti s.s. was collected mostly from brackish water, while An. irenicus was found only in fresh water.
  • There is significant population genetic structure between An. irenicus and An. farauti s.s.
  • An. irenicus diverged from An. farauti s.s. approximately 29,000 years ago.

Takeaway

Scientists studied two types of mosquitoes on Guadalcanal and found they live together and have recently increased in number.

Methodology

Mitochondrial COII and nuclear ITS2 sequences were analyzed from mosquito samples collected from Guadalcanal and Malaita.

Limitations

The study may not account for all genetic variations due to limited sampling sites.

Statistical Information

P-Value

P < 0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 4,700 BP – 27,000 BP

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2148-8-318

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