Genetic differentiation of Anopheles claviger s.s. in France and neighbouring countries

An investigation of polymorphism of 11 autosomal and one sex-linked allozym e loci was made on 18 samples of Anopheles claviger Meigen (Diptera: Culici dae) from localities across France and neighbouring sites in Germany and Sw itzerland, plus one sample of Anopheles petragnani Del Vecchio from the Fre nch Pyrenees. Genetic differentiation between these two sibling species was confirmed (Nei genetic distance 0.33-0.44) and two genetically distinct gr oups of populations were identified within An. claviger. These two forms of An. claviger showed contiguous geographical distributions, Group I found a cross western and Central France, Group II in eastern France and nearby par ts of Germany and Switzerland. The two groups were in contact in a region n ear the Rhone Valley where two intermediate samples were found. The taxonom ic significance of this finding is discussed in the context of the recent c limatic history of Europe and in relation to the vector potential of each m ember of the An. claviger complex.