Uranotaenia pseudostricklandi, a new species in subgenus Pseudoficalbia (Diptera: Culicidae) from Kerala, India.

The female and male adults, male genitalia, pupa and larva of Uranotaenia (Pseudoficalbia) pseudostricklandi sp. nov. (Diptera: Culicidae) are described from specimens collected in India.

Descriptions of three new species of Uranotaenia (Pseudoficalbia) Diptera: Culicidae) from India.

Female and male adults, male genitalia, pupa and larva of Uranotaenia (Pseudoficalbia) maikalensis, Ur. (Pfc.) dandakaranyensis and Ur. (Pfc.) satpuraensis, three new mosquito species, are described from India.

Description of a new species of the genus Hulecoeteomyia (Diptera: Culicidae) from Meghalaya, India.

Female and male adults, female and male genitalia, pupa and larva of Hulecoeteomyia cherrapunjiensis, a new mosquito species, are described from Meghalaya, India. Keys to separate larvae and adults are provided.

Morphological and molecular characterization of the ecological, biological and behavioural variants of the JE vector Culex tritaeniorhynchus: an assessment of its taxonomic status.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae), an important vector of Japanese encephalitis belongs to the Culex vishnui subgroup which includes two other vector species namely, Cx. Vishnui and Cx. pseudovishnui. Many varieties and types of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus have been reported, besides populations that exhibit behavioural and biological differences. This study was undertaken to find out whether Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations exhibiting behavioural and biological variations, and those from different geographical areas, are comprised of more than one taxon or belong to a single taxon. METHODS: Morphological characterization was done by examining 153 morphological and morphometric characters in the larval (75), pupal (60) and adult stages (18) of five geographical populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Molecular characterization was done by PCR amplification of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COI) gene sequences (DNA barcodes) and another hypervariable genetic marker, the ribosomal DNA (16S). One-way ANOVA, principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant factor analysis (DFA) were done for statistical analyses using the statistical package SPSS IBM version 19.0. RESULTS: Morphological characterization showed that no intraspecific differentiation can be made among the five geographical populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Molecular characterization done by DNA barcoding also showed that the COI sequences of all the five populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus grouped into a single taxonomic clade plus the genetic differentiation among these was non-significant and the overall gene flow among the populations was very high. Analysis of the ribosomal DNA also confirmed that the Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations belonged to a single taxon. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Culex tritaeniorhynchus is a taxon that does not involve cryptic species.

DNA Barcodes indicate members of the Anopheles fluviatilis (Diptera: Culicidae) species complex to be conspecific in India.

Anopheles fluviatilis, a major vector of malaria in India has been described as a complex of three sibling species members, named as S, T and U, based on variations in chromosomal inversions. Also, ribosomal DNA markers (repetitive Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) and 28S D3 region) were described to differentiate these three sibling species members. However, controversies prevail on the genetic isolation status of these cryptic species. Hence, we evaluated this taxonomic incongruence employing DNA barcoding, the well established methodology for species identification, using 60 An. fluviatilis sensu lato specimens, collected from two malaria endemic eastern states of India. These specimens were also subjected to sibling species characterization by ITS2 and D3 DNA markers. The former marker identified 31 specimens among these as An. fluviatilis S and 21 as An. fluviatilis T. Eight specimens amplified DNA fragments specific for both S and T. The D3 marker characterized 39 specimens belonging to species S and 21 to species T. Neither marker identified species U. Neighbor Joining analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase gene 1 sequences (the DNA barcode) categorized all the 60 specimens into a single operational taxonomic unit, their Kimura 2 parameter (K2P) genetic variability being only 0.8%. The genetic differentiation (FST ) and gene flow (Nm ) estimates were 0.00799 and 62.07, respectively, indicating these two 'species' (S & T) as genetically con-specific intermixing populations with negligible genetic differentiation. Earlier investigations have refuted the existence of species U. Also, this study demonstrated that An. fluviatilis and the closely related An. minimus could be taxonomically differentiated by the DNA Barcode approach (K2P = 5.0%).

Systematic list of the species added to the mosquito museum at the Vector Control Research Centre, Pondicherry, India.

Mosquito species housed in the mosquito museum at the Vector Control Research Centre, Pondicherry, India, were increased from 181 to 266 species belonging to 22 genera. The systematic list of the 85 species added to the collection is provided. The collection consists of a total of 31,874 adult specimens, of which 23,696 are individually mounted on minuten pins, while the rest are held in stock vials. It also includes 2,456 male genitalia and 470 female genitalia preparations, 3,523 larvae, 4,745 larval exuviae, and 3,057 pupal exuviae on microscope slides. Representative specimens of different species are available from 16 states and 3 union territories of India.

First record of genus Ayurakitia in India: occurrence of Ayurakitia peytoni in Meghalaya state.

Larvae of Ayurakitia peytoni were collected in July 2008 from Pandanus axils during a survey of mosquito fauna in Meghalaya. This is the 1st record of the genus Ayurakitia in India, extending the known distribution of this genus farther west.

Description of a new species of Culex (Lophoceraomyia) from Orissa, India.

Female and male adults, male genitalia, pupae, and larvae of Culex (Lophoceraomyia) singhbhumensis, a new mosquito species, are described from Orissa, India.

Application of PDF417 symbology for 'DNA Barcoding'.

DNA sequences consisting of about 600 base pairs of the 5' region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene has been proposed as DNA Barcodes for taxonomical identification of species in different animals. We evaluated the application of two-dimensional barcodes for 'DNA Barcoding'. 'PDF417' symbology was applied to convert DNA Barcode sequences already proposed [N. Pradeep Kumar, A.R. Rajavel, R. Natarajan, P. Jambulingam, DNA Barcodes can distinguish species of Indian mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). J. Med. Entomol. 77 (2007) 1-7.] for 10 different species of mosquitoes prevalent in India. Decoding of these digital images using 2-D scanner and a suitable software reproduced the input DNA sequences unchanged. This analysis indicated the utility of PDF417 for 'DNA Barcoding', which could be of definite use for taxonomic documentation of animals.

Mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India: part 7--an overview.

Parts 1 to 6 of this series on the mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India dealt with the mosquito species recorded in the mangroves of Bhitarkanika, Sundarbans, Andaman and Nicobar islands, Coringa, Chorao and Vikhroli, and Kundapur and Kannur. This concluding part provides an overview of the distribution of the mosquito species in different mangrove forests, including the mangroves of Muthupet in Tamilnadu and the mangroves of Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Kambhat in Gujarat, species collected as larvae, species in relation to the salinity of the larval habitats, species landing on humans for feeding in the mangroves, and the impact of habitat degradation on species diversity.

Mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India: part 5--Chorao, Goa, and Vikhroli, Maharashtra.

Mosquitoes of 14 species belonging to 9 subgenera and 9 genera were recorded in Chorao mangroves of Goa, and 12 species belonging to 9 subgenera and 7 genera in the mangroves of Vikhroli, Maharashtra, in India. Genera recorded were Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres, Culex, Mansonia, Ochlerotatus, Orthopodomyia, Toxorhynchites, Uranotaenia, and Verrallina. Species common to both the mangroves were Ae. albopictus, Ae. novalbopictus, An. subpictus, Cx. sitiens, Oc. wardi, Ur. atra, and Ve. lugubris. Tree holes, crab holes, and swamp pools were the common larval habitats in Chorao, but tree holes were absent in Vikhroli. Adults of Ae. albopictus, Ae. novalbopictus, Ar. subalbatus, Cx. gelidus Cx. sitiens, Ma. indiana, Ur. atra, and Ve. lugubris were found landing on humans. Aedes novalbopictus, Oc. wardi, and Or. anopheloides are new records for the state of Goa.

DNA barcodes can distinguish species of Indian mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae).

Species identification of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) based on morphological characteristics remains often difficult in field-collected mosquito specimens in vector-borne disease surveillance programs. The use of DNA barcodes has been proposed recently as a tool for identification of the species in many diverse groups of animals. However, the efficacy of this tool for mosquitoes remains unexplored. Hence, a study was undertaken to construct DNA barcodes for several species of mosquitoes prevalent in India, which included major vector species. In total, 111 specimens of mosquitoes belonging to 15 genera, morphologically identified to be 63 species, were used. This number also included multiple specimens for 22 species. DNA barcode approach based on DNA sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene sequences could identify 62 species among these, in confirmation with the conventional taxonomy. However, two closely related species, Ochlerotatus portonovoensis (Tiwari & Hiriyan) and Ochlerotatus wardi (Reinert) could not be identified as separate species based on DNA barcode approach, their lineages indicating negligible genetic divergence (Kimura two-parameter genetic distance = 0.0043).

Mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India: Part 3--Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including an update on the mosquito fauna of the islands.

ABSTRACT. Fifty-three mosquito species belonging to 20 subgenera and 18 genera--Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres, Culex, Downsiomyia, Finlaya, Heizmannia, Kenknightia, Lorrainea, Lutzia, Ochlerotatus, Orthopodomyia, Rhinoskusea, Stegomyia, Toxorhynchites, Tripteroides, Uranotaenia, and Verrallina--were recorded in the mangroves of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, in collections made during May and June 2001. Larvae of 43 species were collected from different mangrove habitats. Together with collections made in nonmangrove areas, 83 species in 22 subgenera and 20 genera in total were recorded of which 33 species are new records for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Rhinoskusea wardi, Fl. flavipennis, and Ve. consonensis are 3 new country records for India. Collections included topotype specimens of St. seampi. Together with species known from earlier records, the mosquito fauna of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is updated to 107 species in 23 subgenera and 24 genera.

Mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India: part four--Coringa, Andhra Pradesh.

Mosquitoes of 12 species belonging to 5 subgenera and 9 genera--Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, Diceromyia, Lorrainea, Rhinoskusea, Stegomyia, Toxorhynchites, and Verrallina--were recorded in the Coringa mangrove forest in Andhra Pradesh, India. Tree holes, crab holes, and swamp pools constituted the larval habitats with Lo. fumida being predominant in tree holes. Adults were found resting in tree holes, tree trunks, root bases, and in crab holes. Species involved in daytime feeding on humans were Ae. cancricomes, Cx. sitiens, Lo. fumida, Rh. wardi, and Ve. lugubris.

Mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India: part six--Kundapur, Karnataka and Kannur, Kerala.

Mosquitoes of 26 species belonging to 16 subgenera and 11 genera were recorded in the Kundapur mangroves of Karnataka, and 17 species belonging to 11 subgenera and 7 genera were recorded in the mangroves of Kannur, Kerala along the west coast of India. Genera recorded were Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres, Culex, Heizmannia, Lutzia, Mansonia, Ochlerotatus, Tripteroides, Uranotaenia, and Verrallina. Species common to both mangrove forests were Ae. albopictus, Ae. vittatus, An. jamesi, Ar. subalbatus, Cx. gelidus, Cx. infantulus, Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. sitiens, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Oc. wardi, Ur. atra, and Ve. luguhris. Tree holes and swamp pools were the common larval habitats, with more species occurring in tree holes in Kundapur than in Kannur. Adults of Ae. albopictus, Ae. vittatus, Ar. aureolineatus, Ar. subalbatus, Cx. bitaeniorhynchus, Cx. sitiens, Ma. uniformis, and Ve. lugubris bloodfed on humans.

A list of the mosquitoes housed in the mosquito museum at the Vector Control Research Centre, Pondicherry, India.

The establishment of a mosquito museum at the Vector Control Research Centre, Pondicherry, India, is reported. The collection at present contains more than 14,800 adult mosquitoes, including 8,426 that are individually pinned. The collection also includes some 1,048 male and female genitalia preparations, and 815 larval and 444 pupal exuviae on microscope slides. Mosquitoes of 19 genera, 37 subgenera, and 181 species are housed in the museum, representing about 50% of the known species from India. A list of the species is provided.

Mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India: Part 1--Bhitarkanika, Orissa.

In this first paper of a series on mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India, details of mosquito species recorded in Bhitarkanika, Orissa, are presented. Forty-three species of mosquitoes belonging to 21 subgenera and 13 genera, Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres, Coquillettidia, Culex, Ficalbia, Heizmannia, Lutzia, Mansonia, Ochlerotatus, Toxorhynchites, Uranotaenia, and Verrallina, were recorded. Predominant larval habitat was the tree holes, from which 15 species were taken. Adults were mostly found resting in crab holes, tree holes, and hoof prints in the forest area and on walls in the guesthouse area. About 14 species were caught in light traps, while 19 species landed on humans for feeding. Ae. franciscoi and Oc. feegradei are 2 new country records for India. Ae. cancricomes and Cx. perplexus, known only from Andaman Islands of India, are new records for mainland India.

Mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India: part 2--Sundarbans, West Bengal.

Mosquitoes of 19 species belonging to 9 subgenera and 6 genera, Aedes, Aedeomyia, Anopheles, Armigeres, Culex, and Mansonia, were recorded in Sundarbans mangrove forest in West Bengal, India. With 6 and 5 species, respectively, the 2 genera Culex and Anopheles were found to be more diverse while less than 3 species were recorded in the other 4 genera. Adults were mainly collected resting on walls in the guesthouse, tree holes in the forest, landing on humans in the guesthouse, and in the forest, and in light traps. Larvae were obtained from tree holes in the forest. The list of species recorded is not conclusive due to the restriction in access to most parts of the mangroves due to the presence of tigers. The occurrence of the urban species Cx. quinquefasciatus within the Sajnakhali sanctuary is indicative of the need to monitor environmental changes that result with the introduction of man-made facilities.

Mosquito collections in the Jeypore Hill tracts of Orissa, India, with notes on three new country records, Culex (Lophoceraomyia) pilifemoralis, Culex (Lophoceraomyia) wilfredi, and Heizmannia (Heizmannia) chengi.

The occurrence of Culex (Lophoceraomyia) pilifermoralis, Cx. (Lop.) wilfredi, and Heizmannia (Heizmannia) chengi is reported for the first time from India from mosquito collections made in the Jeypore hills, Orissa. In collections made during October 1998 from 10 locations, 74 species belonging to 12 genera and 20 subgenera were recorded. Larvae of 40 species were obtained from different larval habitats like bamboo, leaf axils, fallen logs, paddy fields, ponds, ground pools, rock pools, streams, and tree holes. Together with the 14 anopheline species from earlier records, this report brings to 88 the number of mosquito species in the Jeypore hills.