Biochemical taxonomy and enzyme electrophoretic profiles during development, for three morphologically similar Aedes species (Diptera: Culicidae) of the subgenus Stegomyia.
Aedes (Stegomyia) cretinus is a rarely documented mosquito with a Mediterranean distribution, whereas Aedes (S.) albopictus has spread worldwide in the past two decades because of its anthropogenic associations. A third closely related species, Aedes (S.) flavopictus, is sympatric with A. albopictus in northeast Asia. The three species are characterized by a striking mid-thoracic white stripe and, consequently, field-collected individuals may be difficult to separate by morphology. Sixteen biochemical markers were described for laboratory strains representing the three species; these provided the first biochemical genetic profile for A. cretinus and A. flavopictus. Diagnostic enzymes for identifying each species pair were determined. A biochemical key was provided to distinguish among adults of the three species. Several enzyme loci that were diagnostic for the adult stage proved unreliable for identifying immature stages. Voucher specimens for link-reared series of larva, pupa, adult male, and adult female stages of the A. cretinus Crete strain (n = 88) and the A. albopictus Nepal strain (n = 105) were deposited at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven, CT.
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
Christine M Taafe
CM
Gaunt
John-Paul
JP
Mutebi
Leonard E
LE
Munstermann
D000330:Aedes / Q000145:classification* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D004798:Enzymes / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005843:Geography; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D010802:Phylogeny; D011679:Pupa; D013045:Species Specificity
D004798:Enzymes