Inversion polymorphism and the divergence of two cryptic forms of Anopheles messeae (Diptera, Culicidae) at the level of genomic DNA repeats

Genomic DNA of samples from several populations of malaria mosquito Anophel es messeae belonging to the macullipennis Paleoarctic complex was examined using digestion with ten restriction enzymes and electrophoresis in polyacr ylamide gel. The patterns of DNA repeat fractions in the EcoRI hydrolysate in two cryptic forms of An. messeae characterized by common inversion polym orphism were shown to be different. The genomic differences in mixed sympat ric groups and those between geographically remote populations of the diffe rent forms were identical. No interindividual, intrafamilial, inter- and in trapopulation variation was revealed in either form. The electrophoregrams of individuals belonging to the same form but having different combinations of inversion chromosomal variants in the karyotypes were identical. Analys is of taxonprints in the forms showed that individuals with the same karyot ype may belong to different forms. These results coupled with evidence on t he ecological features of and assortative mating in An. messeae populations demonstrated that the examined forms are not conspecific. Our results indi cate that taxonprint analysis is the most reliable and precise test for the presence of conspecific forms in a large sympatric zone.