ARS | Publication request: Mitochondrial markers to distinguish two species of Aedes Neomelaniconion (Diptera: Culicidae) from Kenya

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: September 8, 2008
Publication Date: September 29, 2008
Citation: Bennett, K.E., Sang, R., Richardson, J.H. 2008. Mitochondrial markers to distinguish two species of Aedes Neomelaniconion (Diptera: Culicidae) from Kenya. Meeting Abstract.

Technical Abstract: Aedes mcintoshi and Ae circumluteolus are two common flood water mosquito species collected in Kenya. Both belong to the Aedes subgenus Neomelaniconion, a relatively large subgenus with representative species in the Ethiopian, Oriental, Australian and Palearctic regions. In Kenya, both have been implicated in Rift Valley fever virus transmission, and possibly maintenance. Distinguishing these species is not difficult when specimen are fresh and in good condition. Field collections, however, are often damaged and faded, and this can cause some difficulty in identification to species, which can become important when precise identification is necessary. Additionally, morphological identification requires experience with this subgenus, identification equipment, and a significant time investment. Molecular tools can be used to facilitate the identification process. An 800 base pair region of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I(COI)was examined to identify species specific primer regions that can be used to distinguish the two species. This methodology is described and discussed.