Anopheles subpictus complex: distribution of sibling species in Sri Lanka
Abhayawardana, T.A.; Wijesuriya, S.R.; Dilrukshi, R.K.
Indian Journal of Malariology 33(2): 53-60
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0367-8326 PMID: 8952168 Document Number: 468471
To determine the sibling species composition of the A. subpictus complex in Sri Lanka, polytene chromosomes of ovarian nurse cells were examined. Samples of A. subpictus s.l. were collected from 65 of the 73 Health Areas surveyed in the period August 1990 to February 1992. Of 3095 ovaries collected, 869 polytene chromosomes preparation were identified as sibling species A and 77 B. Species B was present only in coastal localities of the island, whereas species A was found both in coastal and inland areas, with a predominance in inland areas. This is the 1st report on the occurrence of 2 sibling species of A. subpictus in Sri Lanka. Some biological characteristics of coastal and inland populations, such as susceptibility to different insecticides (fenitrothion and malathion), the human blood index and human biting rates (based on a study conducted on 15 August 1991) are discussed.