Molecular Identification of Species Belonging to Culex vishnui Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae), Vectors of Japanese Encephalitis Virus, in Taiwan.

ABSTRACT: Classification of mosquitoes with overlapping features remains problematic when using traditional morphological identification alone. In this study, we used molecular methods to elucidate the taxonomic status of Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex annulus, and Culex pseudovishnui species as vectors of the Japanese encephalitis virus belonging to the Culex vishnui subgroup and gene flow among them. In this study, 76, 59, and 3 samples of Cx. annulus, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, and Cx. pseudovishnui, respectively, were collected around Taiwan. Phylogenetic analysis and genetic divergence were based on genomic sequence variations in ribosomal DNA and the internal transcribed spacer (rDNA) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). Our results revealed that Cx. annulus and Cx. vishnui are genetically si

SUBMITTER: Chung HH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11542521 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature