Genetic compatibility between Anopheles lesteri from Korea and Anopheles paraliae from Thailand

To assess differentiation and relationships between Anopheles lesteri and Anopheles paraliae we established three and five iso-female lines of An. lesteri from Korea and An. paraliae from Thailand, respectively. These isolines were used to investigate the genetic relationships between the two taxa by crossing experiments and by comparing DNA sequences of ribosomal DNA second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and subunit II (COII). Results of reciprocal and F1-hybrid crosses between An. lesteri and An. paraliae indicated that they were compatible genetically producing viable progenies and complete synaptic salivary gland polytene chromosomes without inversion loops in all chromosome arms. The pairwise genetic distances of ITS2, COI and COII between these morphological species were 0.040, 0.007-0.017 and 0.008-0.011, respectively. The specific species status of An. paraliae in Thailand and/or other parts of the continent are discussed.

Mosquito Species Composition and Plasmodium vivax Infection Rates on Baengnyeong-do (Island), Republic of Korea

Vivax malaria is a significant military and civilian health threat in the north of the Republic of Korea (ROK). The island of Baengnyeong-do is the westernmost point of the ROK and is located close to the southwestern coast of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Mosquitoes were collected using a black light trap on Baengnyeong-do, and Anopheles spp. were assayed by PCR, to identify the species, and screened for sporozoites of Plasmodium vivax. Of a subsample of 257 mosquitoes, Anopheles lesteri was the most frequently collected (49.8%), followed by Anopheles sinensis (22.6%), Anopheles pullus (18.7%), Anopheles kleini (7.8%), and Anopheles belenrae (1.2%). The overall sporozoite rate was 3.1%, with the highest rates observed in An. kleini (15.0%), An. sinensis (5.2%), and An. lesteri (1.6%). No sporozoite positive An. pullus or An. belenrae were observed. The results extend our knowledge of the distribution and potential role in malaria transmission of An. kleini, An. lesteri, and An. sinensis, for an area previously considered to be at a low risk for contracting vivax malaria.

Population Dynamics of Five Anopheles Species of the Hyrcanus Group in Northern Gyeonggi-do, Korea

To investigate the population densities of potential malaria vectors, Anopheles species were collected by light traps in malaria endemic areas, Paju and Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do of Korea. Five Anopheles Hyrcanus sibling species (An. sinensis, An. pullus, An. lesteri, An. kleini, and An. belenrae) were identified by PCR. The predominant species, An. pullus was collected during the late spring and mid-summer, while higher population consists of An. sinensis were collected from late summer to early autumn. These 2 species accounted for 92.1% of all Anopheles mosquitoes collected, while the other 3 species accounted for 7.9%. Taking into account of these population densities, late seasonal prevalence, and long-term incubation period (9-13 months) of the Korean Plasmodium vivax strain, An. sinensis s.s is thought to play an important role in the transmission of vivax malaria in the study areas.

Vector competence of Anopheles lesteri Baisas & Hu (Diptera: Cullicidae) to Plasmodium vivax in Korea

Three anopheline mosquitoes in Korea were studied for their abilities as vectors for Plasmodium vivax. The female mosquitoes of Anopheles lesteri, An. pullus and An. sinensis were allowed to suck malaria patient blood until fully fed, and they were then bred for 2 weeks to develop from malaria parasites to sporozoites. The result from the above confirmed the sporozoites in one An. lesteri of one individual and five An. sinensis of six individuals. We also reconfirmed that An. sinensis was the main vector to transmit malaria and An. lesteri as well as An. sinensis were able to carry Korean malaria parasites. Therefore, we propose that diversified study is needed to manage malaria projects.

ON MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION AND TAXONOMIC STATUS OF ANOPHELES LESTERI AND ANOPHELES ANTHROPOPHAGUS IN CHINA (DIPTERA:CULICIDAE) / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

Objective] To clarify the taxonomic status of Anopheles lesteri and An.anthropophagus in China. [Methods] Using molecular identification (PCR assay and rDNA\|ITS2 sequencing) to examine the field anopheline mosquito specimens from Liaoning and Shandong. According to the ITS2 sequences, molecular phylogenetic tree was made. [Results] According to the molecular identification, An.lesteri and An.anthropophagus were distributed both in Liaoning Province and Shandong Province. The length and GC content of rDNA\|ITS2 sequence were 451 bp, 46 2% in An.lesteri (n=6), and 448 bp, 46 0% in An.anthropophagus (n=10), respectively. The ITS2 sequences from presentation sites were same in An.lesteri, while the intraspecies difference in An.anthropophagus was 0 88%. The specific difference between An.lesteri and An.anthropophagus was 25 7%. By analyzing molecular phylogenetic tree, the relationship between An.lesteri and An.sinensis, An.anthropophagus and An.liangshanensis was found to be closer. [Conclusion] According to the molecular identification, it was defined that An.lesteri and An.anthropophagus were sympatric independent species in China.

Historical Review on the Classification and Rectification of Anopheles anthropophagus to An. lesteri in China / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

This paper deals with the taxonomic status and specific names of Anopheles anthropophagus and An. lesteri, the important malaria transmitting vector in China. Based on a historical review of the literature recorded from the country, substantial evidence from morphological and molecular biological studies gives reason to convince that An. anthropophagus is a synonym of An. lesteri. A resurrection of the specific name of An. lesteri Baisas et Hu, 1936 brooks no delay.