The presence of
Anopheles (
Nyssorhynchus)
dunhami
Causey in Colombia (Department of Amazonas) is confirmed for the first time through direct comparison of mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcodes and nuclear rDNA second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) sequences with topotypic specimens of
An. dunhami from Tefé, Brazil.
An. dunhami was identified through retrospective correlation of DNA sequences following misidentification as
Anopheles nuneztovari s.l. using available morphological keys for Colombian mosquitoes. That
An. dunhami occurs in Colombia and also possibly throughout the Amazon Basin, is of importance to vector control programs, as this non-vector species is morphologically similar to known malaria vectors including
An. nuneztovari, Anopheles oswaldoi and
Anopheles trinkae. Species identification of
An. dunhami and differentiation from these closely related species are highly robust using either DNA ITS2 sequences or COI DNA barcode. DNA methods are advocated for future differentiation of these often sympatric taxa in South America.
