Abstract
Specimens of neotropical Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) were collected and identified morphologically. We amplified three genes for phylogenetic analysis–the single copy nuclear white and CAD genes, and the COI barcode region. Since we had multiple specimens for most species we were able to test how well the single or combined genes were able to corroborate morphologically defined species by placing the species into exclusive groups. We found that single genes, including the COI barcode region, were poor at confirming species, but that the three genes combined were able to do so much better. This has implications for species identification, species delimitation, and species discovery, and we caution that single genes are not enough. Higher level groupings were partially resolved with some well-supported groupings, whereas others were found to be either polyphyletic or paraphyletic. There were examples of known groups, such as the Myzorhynchella Section, which were poorly supported with single genes but were well supported with combined genes. From this we can infer that more sequence data will be needed in order to show more higher-level groupings with good support. We got unambiguously good support (0.94–1.0 Bayesian posterior probability) from all DNA-based analyses for a grouping of An. dunhami with An. nuneztovari and An. goeldii, and because of this and because of morphological similarities we propose that An. dunhami be included in the Nuneztovari Complex. We obtained phylogenetic corroboration for new species which had been recognised by morphological differences; these will need to be formally described and named.
Highlights
Malaria is among the world’s most important infectious diseases
The disease is a major obstacle to social and economic development in affected countries [2], and considerable funding has helped decrease the incidence of malaria by an estimated 17% since 2000, the failure to maintain effective malaria control strategies can lead to resurgence in historically endemic regions [1,3]
Model-based phylogenetic analysis was done with two different Bayesian phylogenetic programs, MrBayes v 3.1.2 [49], and p4 [50], and for each program multiple separate ‘‘runs’’ were done
Summary
Malaria is among the world’s most important infectious diseases. There were approximately 216 million cases of malaria reported in 2011 and an estimated 655,000 deaths in 2010 [1]. The disease is a major obstacle to social and economic development in affected countries [2], and considerable funding has helped decrease the incidence of malaria by an estimated 17% since 2000, the failure to maintain effective malaria control strategies can lead to resurgence in historically endemic regions [1,3]. The focus of such work centres on the genus Anopheles, which contains all known vectors of malaria, with many forming cryptic species complexes [7]. Such species are morphologically indistinguishable and for many of the most important vectors of malaria a molecular approach is the only effective tool for resolving species and species relationships [8]
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