DNA identification of museum specimens of the Anopheles gambiae complex: an evaluation of PCR as a tool for resolving the formal taxonomy of sibling species complexes

Species-specific rDNA primers were tested for their ability to identify mus eum specimens of the Anopheles gambiae complex ranging in age from 15 to 93 years. Twenty pinned females of known or inferred identity were selected f or study from the collection of The Natural History Museum in London, prima rily on grounds of their provenance and/or presumed identity. The abdomens were removed and provided 'blind' to the first author for identification. M ost of the specimens (17/20) yielded amplifiable DNA and sixteen were ident ified to species, fifteen unambiguously. The PCR identifications of twelve specimens matched identifications on museum labels, including seven of unam biguous identity. One of the specimens identified correctly was a 93-year-o ld syntype of An. gambiae. This study demonstrates that PCR-based methods, by establishing the genetic identity of name-bearing type specimens in muse um collections, may help in the application of available names to members o f sibling species complexes.