Wing Morphometry and Genetic Variability Between Culex coronator and Culex usquatus (Diptera: Culicidae), Two Sibling Species of the Coronator Group

Author(s)

Demari-Silva, Bruna ; Multini, Laura Cristina ; Suesdek, Lincoln ; Oliveira, Tatiane M. P. ; Mureb Sallum, Maria Anice ; Marrelli, Mauro Toledo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Medical Entomology; v. 54, n. 4, p. 901-908, JUL 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Culex coronator Dyar and Knab and Culex usquatus Dyar belong to the Coronator Group of the subgenus Culex. Culex coronator and Cx. usquatus are widespread and sympatric throughout their distribution range, which includes Brazil. Morphological identification of these species is based primarily on the characteristics of the male genitalia; females are indistinguishable using the qualitative characteristics employed in identification keys. The primary objective of this study was to distinguish females of Cx. coronator from those of Cx. usquatus employing both wing geometric morphometrics, and DNA sequences (NADH5, COI, Hunchback, and CAD). Additionally, we employed the isolation with migration model (IMa) to evaluate: 1) the migration rates and 2) the divergence time, between Cx. coronator and Cx. usquatus. Specimens were captured in Pariquera-Acu and Cananeia south-eastern Sao Paulo, Ribeira Valley, Brazil. Canonical variate analysis (CVA) demonstrated two groups in the morphospace. The accuracy of species recognition was moderate (82.6%) for Cx. coronator and low (60.8%) for Cx. usquatus. Bayesian analyses of concatenated gene sequences recovered from specimens of Cx. coronator separated the species into three lineages (herein referred to as Culex coronator A, B, and C), whereas Cx. usquatus specimens clustered into a single lineage. Lineages A and B of Cx. coronator intermixed with specimens of Cx. usquatus, and one specimen of Cx. coronator clustered into the Cx. usquatus lineage. The IMa analysis indicated that the divergence of Cx. coronator and Cx. usquatus is a slow process, with some degree of gene flow between the two 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
• FAPESP's process: 14/26229-7 - Latitudinal landscape genomics and ecology of Anopheles darlingi
• Grantee: Maria Anice Mureb Sallum
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants