Folia Parasitologica 67:007 (2020) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2020.007

Wing morphometric variability of the malaria vector Anopheles (Cellia) epiroticus Linton et Harbach (Diptera: Culicidae) for the duration of the rainy season in coastal areas of Samut Songkhram, Thailand

Tanawat Chaiphongpachara¹, Sedthapong Laojun²

¹ Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Science, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram, Thailand.

² College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram,Thailand.

In Thailand, Anopheles (Cellia) epiroticus Linton et Harbach (Diptera: Culicidae) is the secondary vector of human malaria along coastal regions. While there are some studies of phenotypic variability and population structure of A. epiroticus, more information on morphological variation would enhance epidemiological understanding of medically important mosquito vectors. This research examined morphological variation at three different distances from coastlines of Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand, using landmark-based geometric morphometrics. Wing shape of A. epiroticus was significantly different in the area 0.2 km away from the sea compared to areas 2 and 4 km away from the sea (p < 0.05). Phenotypic variability in wing shape is associated with distance from the sea. Morphological variations in the area closest to the sea were most pronounced, showing a relationship between A. epiroticus and the ecosystem that affects wing geometry. These results provide important information to understand morphological variation of A. epiroticus in coastal areas.

Keywords: Mosquito, microevolution, coastal environment, morphological variability, geometric morphometrics.

Received: October 16, 2018; Revised: November 28, 2019; Accepted: December 3, 2019; Published online: April 16, 2020  Show citation