title: Culex species (Diptera: Culicidae) from central Argentina: identification by electrophoretic zymograms and genetic relationships.
abstract: Starch gel electrophoretic zymograms were used for the taxonomic separation of mosquitoes of the genus Culex, possible vectors of encephalitis in Argentina. Catalase, hexokinase, malic enzyme, isocitrate and malate dehydrogenases, and leucine aminopeptidase were species markers that allowed the clear identification of individual Culex apicinus Philippi, Cx. bidens Dyar, Cx. brethesi Dyar, Cx. declarator Dyar and Knab, Cx. dolosus Arribalzaga, Cx. maxi Dyar, Cx. quinquefasciatus Say, Cx. saltanensis Dyar, and Cx. tatoi Casal & García. Intraspecific polymorphism was revealed but did not preclude species separation. On the basis of allele frequencies, an index of genetic distance between species was calculated. Genetic affinities determined by electrophoretic data agreed with taxonomic affinities ascertained by conventional systematics. Thus, electrophoretic zymograms proved to be a powerful tool for the study of the genus Culex in Argentina.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Química Biológica, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Humeres
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Gardenal
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Almirón
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sereno
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sabattini
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D003465:Culex / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D004592:Electrophoresis, Starch Gel; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male