Co-existence and attempted hybridization between Anopheles litoralis (King) and Anopheles sundaicus (Rodenwaldt) in Sabah, Malaysia
Hii, J.L.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 9(3): 384-389
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 749225 Document Number: 124390
Anopheles (Cellia) litoralis King and Anopheles (Cellia) sundaicus Rodenwaldt, vectors of malaria, were collected from the same brackis and sea-water habitats in six localities in Sabah. They share the same breeding habitats with predominance of one species over the other. The two species although distinct have small morphological differences and are taxonomically separated by certain wing characters. Hybridization between the two species was successful. Reciprocal crosses produced viable progeny which appeared to develop normally to adults. Hybridized females laid fewer viable eggs in comparison with the parents. The F1 hybrids resembled the litoralis parent in most characters. Backcrosses of both litoralis and sundaicus parents with the F1 hybrids yielded no eggs. F1 male hybrids were thus assumed to be sterile. The results obtained from cross matings between the two species suggested something more than subspecific status.