Ll. Koekemoer et al., Single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis for identification of four members of the Anopheles funestus (Diptera : Culicidae) group, J MED ENT, 36(2), 1999, pp. 125-130
Members of the Anopheles funestus Giles group are difficult to identify bec
ause of the morphological overlap that exists within the group. This inabil
ity to distinguish species, as well as the fact that the species vary in th
eir behavior and biting preferences, complicate the successful planning and
maintaining of malaria control programs. In this article we discuss the us
e of a single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) assay to distinguish
4 members of the An. funestus group collected at 10 different localities in
Africa. rDNA genes differ at numerous sites among closely related species.
Using conserved primers, the D3 domain in the 28S gene was amplified elect
rophoresed on SSCP gels, and species-specific patterns were observed. Intra
specific variation was detected in An. funestus specimens from East and Wes
t Africa. Analyzing 108 An. funestus, 78 An. vaneedeni Gillies & Coetzee, 2
1 An. rivulorum Leeson, and 2 An. leesoni Evans, we concluded that SSCPs ca
n be used successfully as a molecular tool for the identification of these
species.