What is it about?
Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) spp. females are difficult to identify using the available keys. With the objective of further investigating the discriminatory power of modern morphometrics, both landmark-based and outline-based approaches were explored using the wing venation geometry of 11 species. Wing shape was able to separate the closest species of the subgenus. When the 11 species were analysed together, validated classification scores on average 5.3-8.6 times higher than those expected by chance were observed.
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Why is it important?
This paper shows the discriminatory power of modern morphometrics, both landmark-based and outline-based approaches to separate the closest species of the subgenus Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) which females are impossible to clasify by the conventional methods. The results were very satisfactory.
Perspectives
Modern morphometrics is the study of the variation of biological shape and its covariation with other variables. It has proven to be a powerful tool to support taxonomy, particularly in populations of doubtful taxonomic status. This work adds important knowledge to the taxonomic status of an important group of Anopheles, the subgenus Nissorynchus, which contains the most important Plasmodium vectors in South America.
Dr Nicolas Jaramillo-O
Universidad de Antioquia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Geometric morphometrics for the taxonomy of 11 species ofAnopheles(Nyssorhynchus) mosquitoes, Medical and Veterinary Entomology, November 2014, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/mve.12091.
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