CHROMOSOMAL EVIDENCE FOR SIBLING SPECIES OF THE MALARIA VECTOR ANOPHELES (CELLIA) CULICIFACIES GILES

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 83  (2) , 75-78
Abstract
The ovarian polytene chromosomes of adult A. culicifacies [human malaria vector] from natural populations in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, and from 4 laboratory colonies (1 from Pakistan and 3 from India) are compared with the published cytological map for this taxon. Two types of X chromosome exist. One of these is identical with the published map; the other differs by 2 inversions. No autosome arm rearrangements are detected. A photomap is presented which documents the X chromosome inversions. Both types of X are found in a natural population near New Delhi [India] in the apparent absence of heterozygotes. This is interpreted as evidence for biologically distinct species within the taxon A. culicifacies Giles. The formal taxonomic and practical implications are briefly discussed.