Polymorphism and interspecific variability of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene nucleotide sequence in sibling species of A and B Anopheles messeae and An. beklemishevi (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Species identification of 159 individuals of the Anopheles maculipennis complex from five locations in Ural and Siberia was conducted by PCR-RFLP ITS2. The DNA sequences of COI gene fragments were determined in 124 individuals from these localities. The Anopheles messeae group COI sequences were compared with those from a DNA database. The variability of COI nucleotide sequences (measures H and π) of the cryptic species A and B Anopheles messeae and An. beklemishevi was investigated and quantitatively estimated. It was found that the COI variability did not allow discrimination of the cryptic species A and B Anopheles messeae. Neither did it show any geographical regularity for these species. It is concluded that the COI polymorphism of the A and B Anopheles messeae is common for them, as well as the chromosomal inversion polymorphism. It arose long before their divergence. The diagnostic importance of interspecific ITS2 variability is confirmed.