Inversion polymorphism and the divergence of two cryptic forms of Anopheles messeae (Diptera, Culicidae) at the level of genomic DNA repeats

Abstract

Genomic DNA of samples from several populations of malaria mosquito Anopheles messeae belonging to the macullipennis Paleoarctic complex was examined using digestion with ten restriction enzymes and electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. The patterns of DNA repeat fraction in the EcoRII hydrolysate in two cryptic forms of An. messeae characterized by common inversion polymorphism were shown to be different. The genomic differences in mixed sympatric groups and those between geographically remote populations of the different forms were identical. No interindividual, intrafamilial, inter- and intrapopulation variation was revealed in either form. The electrophoregrams of individuals belonging to the same the B form but having different combinations of inversion chromosomal variants in the karyotypes were identical. Analysis of taxonprints in the forms showed that individuals with the same karyotype may belong to different forms. These results coupled with evidence on the ecological features of and assortative mating in An. messeae populations demonstrated that the examined forms are not conspecific. Our results indicate that taxonprint analysis is the most reliable and precise test for the presence of conspecific forms in a large sympatric zone.