title: [Differentiation by geometric morphometrics among 11 Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) in Colombia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The correct identification of the Anopheles species of the subgenus Nyssorhynchus is important because this subgenus includes the main malaria vectors in Colombia. This information is necessary for focusing a malaria control program.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Geometric morphometrics were used to evaluate morphometric variation of 11 species of subgenus Nyssorhynchus present in Colombia and to distinguish females of each species. Materials and methods. The specimens were obtained from series and family broods from females collected with protected human hosts as attractants. The field collected specimens and their progeny were identified at each of the associated stages by conventional keys. For some species, wild females were used. Landmarks were selected on wings from digital pictures from 336 individuals, and digitized with coordinates. The coordinate matrix was processed by generalized Procrustes analysis which generated size and shape variables, free of non-biological variation. Size and shape variables were analyzed by univariate and multivariate statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The subdivision of subgenus Nyssorhynchus in sections is not correlated with wing shape. Discriminant analyses correctly classified 97% of females in the section Albimanus and 86% in the section Argyritarsis. In addition, these methodologies allowed the correct identification of 3 sympatric species from Putumayo which have been difficult to identify in the adult female stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The geometric morphometrics were demonstrated to be a very useful tool as an adjunct to taxonomy of females the use of this method is recommended in studies of the subgenus Nyssorhynchus in Colombia.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Chagas, Instituto de Biologia, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia.
authors.forename: David Alonso
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Calle
authors.forename: Martha Lucía
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Quiñones
authors.forename: Holmes Francisco
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Erazo
authors.forename: Nicolás
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jaramillo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D003105:Colombia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control