Species-specific Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase
Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) markers were used to identify four
species related to Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) albitarsis
Lynch-Arribalphalzaga from 12 sites in Brazil and 4 in
Venezuela. In a previous study (Wilkerson et al. 1995), which
included sites in Paraguay and Argentina, these four species
were designated "A", "B", "C" and "D". It was hypothesized
that species A is An. (Nys.) albitarsis, species B is
undescribed, species C is An. (Nys.) marajoara Galvpio and
Damasceno and species D is An. (Nys.) deaneorum Rosa-Freitas.
Species D, previously characterized by RAPD-PCR from a small
sample from northern Argentina and southern Brazil, is
reported here from the type locality of An. (Nys.) deaneorum,
Guajarbeta-Mirim, State of Rondnia, Brazil. Species C and D
were found by RAPD-PCR to be sympatric at Costa Marques, State
of Rondonia, Brazil. Species A and C have yet to be
encountered at the same locality. The RAPD markers for
species C were found to be conserved over 4,620 km; from
Iguape, State of Spio Paulo, Brazil to Rio Socuavo, State of
Zulia, Venezuela. RAPD-PCR was determined to be an effective
means for the identification of unknown specimens within this
species complex.
