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Characterization of populations of Culex coronator (Diptera: Culicidae) and differentiation of adult females of Culex coronator and Culex usquatus using wing geometric morphometry and gene sequences.

Full text
Author(s):
Bruna Demari e Silva
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Doctoral Thesis
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP/CIR)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Mauro Toledo Marrelli; Ana Maria Ribeiro de Castro Duarte; Rosely dos Santos Malafronte; Paulo Eduardo Martins Ribolla; Andre Barretto Bruno Wilke
Advisor: Mauro Toledo Marrelli
Abstract

Culex coronator and Culex usquatus are sibling species belonging to Coronator Group, which comprises five other species (Culex usquatissimos Dyar, Culex ousqua Dyar, Culex camposi Dyar, Culex covagarciai Forattini). Except by Cx. yojae, the females of this group are indistinguishable, being the identification only possible by the analysis of the arrangement and number of appendicles on the apical lobe of the gonocoxite of the male genitalia. Cx. coronator is the most widely distributed species in the complex, occupying North, Central and South America, while Cx. usquatus was recorded only in Central and South America. Therefore, these species are sympatric in Brazil. Despite the morphological similarity of the females of both species, only Cx. coronator has epidemiological importance, being found infected with many arboviruses. Since studies focusing in population structure are important to understand the evolution and dynamics of potencial vectors and that the correct female identification is critical for development of vectorial competence studies, the aims of this study were to: (1) distinguish adult females of Cx. coronator from Cx. usquatus (2) obtain knowledge of the population structure of Culex coronator in Southern and Southeastern areas (3) examine the presence of undescribed and/or incorrectly identified species under Cx. coronator. Thereby, a survey was carried out using morphological (wing geometry) and genetic (4 microsatellite loci and barcode region of the Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene) markers. Results showed genetic and morphological diversity of southeastern populations, with low population structure, while southern populations were more homogenous but different from those of Southeast Brazil. Thus, analysis of microsatellite and wing morphometry showed some populational structure according to South and Southeast macro-regions. Only wing morphometric analysis distinguished Cx. coronator from Cx. usquatus, while the COI barcode analysis showed a polytomy of the two species. No marker indicated Cx. coronator s.s as a group of cryptic species. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 10/02658-5 - Characterization of populations of Culex coronator and Culex usquatus (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Neotropical Region by geometric morphometrics of wing and analysis of gene sequences
Grantee:Bruna Demari e Silva
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate