Molecular characterization of cryptic species of Anopheles barbirostris van der Wulp in China

BACKGROUND: Anopheles barbirostris sensu lato belongs to the Barbirostris subgroup of the subgenus Anopheles that is distributed in Southeast Asia. Different molecular forms have been identified based on the rDNA-ITS2 and mtDNA-COI sequences. Anopheles barbirostris occurs in China. The species status was uncertain due to the lack of molecular characterization. The present study characterized Chinese An. barbirostris using rDNA-ITS2 and mtDNA-COI gene sequences. Two cryptic species were identified. FINDINGS: DNA was extracted from morphologically identified An. barbirostris specimens collected in Yunnan and Hainan from China, the sequences of rDNA-ITS2 and mtDNA-COI regions of 40 individuals were amplified and analyzed. The sequence comparison revealed two cryptic species, corresponding to An. barbirostris A1/clade III and A2/clade IV, respectively. The molecular characterization updated the species composition of the An. barbirostris complex in China. CONCLUSIONS: This study distinguished two molecular forms in the An. barbirostris s. l. in China.