Should hypotheses concerning species status be considered alongside other hypotheses in genetic studies of species complexes? A response to Van Bortel and Coosemans 2003
Walton, C.; Somboon, P.
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 20(3): 331-332
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 8756-971X PMID: 15573432 Document Number: 569353
In this article, Walton and Somboon states that there are at least two hypotheses that could explain the observed genetic data in Anopheles minimus complex: the existence of previously undetected cryptic species and intraspecific variation within the known species and that there is insufficient evidence to reject any of these hypotheses at the present time. Specific points raised by Van Bortel and Coosemans are discussed. It is concluded that neither hypothesis of intraspecific polymorphism nor that of the presence of additional cryptic species as explanations for the genetic diversity in A. minimus in Vietnam can be rejected. To reject one of these hypotheses, research is required and that this will require a population genetic approach with the use of multiple loci.