ABSTRACT
In this study, cytogenetic analysis of the metaphase chromosomes from imaginal discs of Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes-Aedes communis, Ae. punctor, Ae. intrudens, and Ae. rossicus-was performed. The patterns of C-banding and DAPI staining of the heteroÑhromatin and the length of the chromosomes demonstrate species specificity. In particular, the Ae. punctor chromosomes are the shortest compared with Ae. communis, Ae. intrudens, and Ae. rossicus, and they also carry additional C and DAPI bands in intercalary regions. The Ae. intrudens chromosomes are the longest, they have pericentromeric C bands, and they almost lack any DAPI bands near the centromere of chromosome 3 versus Ae. communis, which has the largest pericentromeric DAPI blocks in all three chromosome pairs. Ae. rossicus also possesses DAPI bands in the centromeric regions of all chromosomes, but their staining is weaker compared with those of Ae. communis. Therefore, the analysis of karyotypes is a tool for species-level identification of these mosquitoes.
ABSTRACT
Karyotypes of Aedes (Culicidae) mosquitoes (Ae. excrucians, Ae. behningi, and Ae. euedes) have been analyzed using the metaphase chromosomes of imaginal discs. Lacto-aceto-orcein, C-banding, and DAPI staining have detected species-specific features in the morphology and lengths of these chromosomes in the examined species. Species-specific features of chromosome 1 in the location of heterochromatin blocks have been shown. Thus, the metaphase chromosomes in the imaginal discs of Ae. excrucians, Ae. behningi, and Ae. euedes are a characteristic for species identification of mosquito species.
