The Use of Synthetic DNA Probes for the Field Identification of Members of the Anopheles gambiae Complex

Mosquitoes of the Anopheles gambiae complex include the major vectors of malaria in tropical Africa. Six different sibling species within the complex have been identified on the basis of mating incompatibility (1 –3 ). None of them can be distinguished using morphological characteristics. An. gambiae sensu stricto and An. arabiensis are the two most efficient vectors within the complex and are widespread throughout tropical Africa being sympatric over much of their range. An. merus and An. melas , two saltwater-associated forms, are vectors in coastal regions of East and West Africa, respectively, whereas An. bwambae is a vector confined to the Semliki forest in Uganda. An. quadriannulatus is mainly zoophilic and therefore not considered to be a vector of malaria; it is found in limited locations in East and South Africa and Ethiopia.