Anopheles (Cellia) Ainshamsi, N. SP. (Diptera: Culicidae), a saltwater species from the red sea coast of Egypt

2006·9.1 MB·

by  Adel M Gad

PROC. ENTOMOL. SOC. WASH.
108(2), 2006, pp. 366-380
ANOPHELES (CELLIA) AINSHAMSI, N. SP. (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE), A
SALTWATER SPECIES FROM THE RED SEA COAST OF EGYPT
ADEL M. GAD, RALPH E. HARBACH, AND BRUCE A. HARRISON
(AMG) Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Ab-
bassia, Cairo, Egypt (e-mail: adelgad2002@ yahoo.com); (REH) Department of Entomol-
ogy. The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K. (e-mail:
[email protected]); (BAH) North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, Public Health Pest Management, 585 Waughtown Street, Winston-Salem, NC
27107, U.S.A. (e-mail: bruce. harrison @ncmail.net)
Abstract.4The Anopheles species that breeds in saltwater pools on the Red Sea coast
of Egypt, originally thought to be An. stephensi (Liston), is formally described and named
Anopheles (Cellia) ainshamsi, n. sp. The adults, pupa, and fourth-instar larva are char-
acterized, and the male genitalia and the two immature stages are illustrated. The species
is compared and distinguished from similar members of the Neocellia Series that occur
in southwestern Asia and Africa. Attempts to obtain DNA sequence data from type spec-
imens and other specimens collected more than 20 years ago were unsuccessful.
Key Words: Anopheles ainshamsi, dancalicus, hervyi, salbaii, stephensi, mosquitoes,
new species, Neocellia Series
Gad (1967) found Anopheles larvae apparently never occurred to either Gad or
breeding in saltwater pools near the Red Mattingly that the species might not be An.
Sea coast of Egypt that he identified as An. stephensi.
stephensi (Liston). Gad realized that An. In 1981, one of us (AMG, and col-
stephensi was not known to occur in Africa leagues) established a colony of this mos-
or western areas of the Arabian Peninsula, quito to study its biology. Unlike typical
and sent specimens to the British Museum An. stephensi, females of the Egyptian mos-
(Natural History) (now known as The Nat- quito were autogenous, i.e., they laid eggs
ural History Museum) to confirm his iden- without taking a blood meal (documented
tification. The late Peter Mattingly exam- by Ribeiro et al. 1985). This prompted
ined the specimens and noted: <<The wing AMG to compare specimens from the Red
is rather paler than usual. The leaflets on Sea coast with unequivocal specimens of
the phallosome are rather smaller than fig- An. stephensi (Rangoon strain) from a pre-
ured by Christophers for stephensi ....The vious study (Gad et al. 1979a, b). Speci-
most striking difference in the larvae seems mens from Egypt were found to differ sig-
to be quite heavy spiculation of the inner, nificantly from typical An. stephensi, and to
and sometimes outer clypeal hairs [setae 2- share certain characteristics with two other
C and 3-C, respectively], and the branching African anophelines, An. dancalicus (Cor-
of the post clypeal [seta 4-C]. . .== (Gad and radetti) from the Danakil Depression of
Kamel 1967). Despite these differences, it Ethiopia and An. salbaii (Maffi and Coluz-
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 2 367
zi) from the Ogaden Desert of Somalia. It History (NMNH), Washington, DC, U.S.A.,
also bears similarities with An. hervyi Brun- Ain Shams University (AU), Cairo, Egypt,
hes, le Goff, and Geoffroy, which was re- and the NHM, London, U.K.
cently described from adult females found
in the Sahelian area of southern Niger TAXONOMIC TREATMENT
(Brunhes et al. 1999). Accordingly, the Anopheles (Cellia) ainshamsi Gad,
Egyptian species, known informally as An. Harbach, and Harrison, n. sp.
ainshamsi for nearly 25 years, is formally (Bigs. 15.2)
described and named An. dinshamsi, n. sp.
in this report.
Anopheles ainshamsi (nomen nudum) of
Gad "etvalSaos7>-2 1k, 242219) Geibio-
MATERIALS AND METHODS
nomics); Ward 1992: 210 (catalog).
This study is based on specimens col-
Anopheles sp. nr. salbaii of Ribeiro et al.
lected near Ras Shukeir on the Red Sea
1985: 689-692 (A biology).
coast (Gulf of Suez) of Egypt in 1983.
Anopheles stephensi of Gad 1967: 1724174
Wild-caught larvae were reared individual-
(L*, L bionomics); Gad and Kamel 1967:
ly in water from their natural breeding sites
249-252 (L bionomics, A, L morpholo-
to obtain adults with associated larval and
gy); Gad and Salit 1972: 581 (A biolo-
pupal exuviae. Some fourth-instar larvae
gy); El-Said and Kenawy 1983: 69, 73
were also preserved for study. Comparisons
(collection record); Kenawy 1988: 74 (bi-
were made with specimens of similar spe-
onomics, distribution); Kenawy 1990:
cies deposited in The Natural History Mu-
270, 271 (collection record).
seum (NHM), London, including type spec-
Anopheles (Cellia) n. sp. of Glick 1992:
imens of An. dancalicus, An. hervyi, and
129, 130, 140, 150 (distribution, A key).
An. salbaii. Observations of the adults were
made under simulated natural light. Larval Diagnosis.4Anopheles ainshamsi 1s a
and pupal chaetotaxy were studied using member of the Neocellia Series based on
differential interference contrast microsco- the absence of upper proepisternal setae in
py. Measurements and counts, except for adults and the presence of one branched
structures of the male genitalia, were taken long propleural, one branched long meso-
from 10415 specimens. Numbers in paren- pleural, and two branched long metapleural
theses represent modes of the reported setae (9-P, 9-M, and 9,10-T, respectively) in
ranges. Except for wing spot nomenclature larvae. Adults of An. ainshamsi are distin-
(Wilkerson and Peyton 1990), the morpho- guished from Oriental members of the se-
logical terminology used in the species de- ries, except An. stephensi, in having both
scription follows Harbach and Knight spotted legs and hindtarsomere 5 dark-
(1980, 1982). Recognition of the new spe- scaled, and from Afrotropical members of
cies is based on diagnostic and differential the series, except An. dancalicus, An. herv-
characters that distinguish it from its closest yi, and An. salbaii, by the combination of
allies. The symbols A, 2, d, Le, Pe, and L spotted legs, dark hindtarsomere 5, and
used in the literature summary and material scaling on abdominal segments [-4VIII.
examined sections represent adult, female, The absence of scales on the scutal fossa
male, larval exuviae, pupal exuviae, and distinguishes An. ainshamsi from An. Ste-
fourth-instar larva, respectively. An asterisk phensi and the three similar Afrotropical
(*) after one of these symbols in the liter- species. Anopheles ainshamsi resembles
ature summary section indicates at least An. dancalicus and differs from the other
part of the life stage was illustrated in the three species in lacking a pale fringe spot
publication cited. Type specimens are de- at the apex of the anal vein of the wings.
posited in the National Museum of Natural Larvae are distinguished from other mem-
368 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
sternal
A Lituah4
Fig. 1. Pupa and male genitalia of Anopheles (Cellia) ainshansi. A, Pupa, left side of cephalothorax, dorsal
to right. B, Pupa, dorsal (left) and ventral (right) aspects of metathorax and abdomen. C, Male genitalia, aspects
as indicated. Ae, aedeagus; c, club on dorsal lobe of claspette; Cl, claspette; CT, cephalothorax; Gc, gonocoxite;
Gs, gonostylus; InS, internal seta; LAe, leaflets of aedeagus; Pa, paddle; PBS, parabasal setae; Pr, proctiger; I-
IX = abdominal segments I-IX; 1-14 = setal numbers for specified areas, e.g., seta 3-I. Scales in mm.
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 2 369
ber of the series by one or more of the fol- antedorsocentral areas with white semierect
lowing characters: seta 2-C not brush-like; scales that grade into yellowish to golden
2,3-C aciculate or frayed; 1,2-P well sepa- decumbent fusiform scales on acrostichal
rated, inserted on small tubercles; 2-P with and dorsocentral areas, scales on these areas
fewer than 15 branches; 11-P without short converge at middle of scutum and extend
barblike branches; 1-III4VII lanceolate posteriorly between posterior dorsocentral
branches or blades with weakly developed and lateral prescutellar setae to scutellum,
shoulders and a short filament. Pupae of with small posterior medial area of pre-
species belonging to the series are not well scutellar area void of scales, scales at lateral
known and are difficult to distinguish. margins of this bare area become white be-
Female.4Overtly brown and pale yel- fore margin of scutellum; golden to golden-
low. Head: Truncate erect scales of vertex brown setae on acrostichal, dorsocentral,
pale (white) anteriorly and becoming pro- fossal, antealar, supraalar and prescutal ar-
gressively darker (yellowish to brown) pos- eas; narrow line of decumbent pale scales
teriorly and posterolaterally; eyes widely on mesal side of supraalar setae extends to
spaced, erect scales grade into elongate near parascutellar seta, this line of scales
semierect fusiform scales on interocular separated from scales on posterior dorso-
space, these scales interspersed with long central and prescutellar areas by rather
golden setae, lateral margins of interocular broad pale pruinose area. Scutellum with
space lined with white decumbent scales row of white to golden fusiform scales ad-
that become longer and give rise to long jacent to posterior row of long golden-
sinuous setae above antennal pedicels. brown setae. Mesopostnotum and postpro-
Clypeus bare. Antenna length 0.941.2 mm notum bare. Antepronotum without scales,
(mean 1.0 mm); pedicel with yellowish to with long golden-brown setae. Pleura with
brown integument and usually few incon- golden-brown setae: O44(1) prespiracular
spicuous pale scales on dorsal surface; fla- area, 143(2) prealar, 2,3(2) upper and 14
gellomeres 143 with elongate pale scales, 3(2) lower mesokatepisternal and 3-46(4)
particularly dense on mesal surfaces. Pro- upper mesepimeral; upper proepisternal se-
boscis 1.441.7 mm (mean 1.6 mm), slightly tae absent. Wing (see Fig. 62 in Glick
longer than forefemur (about 1.1); pre- 1992): Length 2.743.3 mm (mean 2.9 mm);
mentum entirely dark-scaled, scales ap- dark scaling brown, stark on costa, subcosta
pressed throughout except for few slightly and R-R,, subdued on posterior veins, pale
erect scales at base; labella slightly paler scaling pale yellow, not white; costa with
than prementum. Maxillary palpus length humeral dark spot, dark basal to humeral
1.44-1.6 mm (mean 1.5 mm), usually with crossvein; costa, subcosta and R with pre-
3 pale (white) bands4apical (apex of pal- sector and sector dark spots, presector
pomere 4 and all of 5), preapical (apex of equally long on 3 veins, sector about half
3 and base of 4) and proximal (apex of 2)4 as long on R, sometimes with pale inter-
apical pale band about length of preapical ruption; costa and R, with equally long
dark band (middle of palpomere 4), palpus preapical and apical dark spots; remigium
with 4-banded appearance when middle of and base of R pale to presector dark spot;
palpomere 5 occasionally dark-scaled; pal- dark spots on other veins often faint (some
pomere 2 with semi-erect scales giving a sometimes absent, fully present as follows:
slightly bushy appearance to proximal por- Rs dark except at base, R, with dark spot
tion of palpus; ventral surface of palpus opposite apical dark spot on R,, spur of
without scales. Thorax: Integument dark R,,; dark, postbasal and preapical dark
brown; scutum with broad median pale pru- spots on R,,;, M,, M>, M,;,, and CuP, distal
inose area confluent with scutellum of sim- areas of M and mcu dark-scaled, 1A with
ilar appearance; anterior promontory and 2 dark spots in distal half (preapical and
370 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Table 1. Range (mode) of numbers of branches for pupal setae of Anopheles (Cellia) ainshamsi.
ae ee
an See Abdominal Segments | rate
iNo. (Gir I I Il IV Vv VI VII Vil IX Pa
oO 4 oo ] 1 ] l 1 4 =
1 24(3) ~80 5-10(8) 4-8(6) 3-10(4) 14(@) 1,2) 1.20) 4 2G) aa
De, 12=4((2) 2-810) 4-96) 3-714), 3-6) 3=5'G) 2 3513) ee (3) = 2-5 (4)
3 256) 2c) iA@) I @) 2=7G) etch) 2c Ite) = = =
A 9-516) 2264 1276) 2276) s-64@) 543) £2030)" 4 4
Sr 491) y wlo l) e263) 8 (62-814) 3 =6) 214) 2-9 4_4 4
6002-5 Gin 1E4G) 3-56) 3286) 3-714) 256) 246) Ses = =
It 2G 2intd=614)., 2-616). 3-614). 3-66), 2-416) 32 1-3) =
8s 2 e@)) = a 2-5 (4) 146) 14@2) 1408) 1306) 4 = =
OR l= 3)( 2) 2 Ci 1 ] ] 1 1-3 (1) 7-11(8) 4 4=
10 1-4(2) 4 D= 513) ls CL) eel 21) ee= Si(2) a) = =
11 1-5 (4) 4 4 2D) Ne ZB) he 2) 14(2) 4 = =
14 (2
4
4|4_
a = alveolus only.
just beyond midlength), apex of vein with- slightly longer, 1.641.8 mm (mean 1.7 mm),
out scales; faint pale fringe spots at apices about 1.6 length of forefemur. Maxillary
of M,, M,, M;,, and CuP (total of 4 pale palpus largely pale-scaled, dark scaling on
fringe spots). Halter: Pedicel and scabellum palpomere 1, proximal 0.5 or less of pal-
pale, capitellum dark-scaled. Legs: Fore- pomere 2 and narrowly across joints be-
coxa with few inconspicuous dark scales tween palpomeres 243, 344 and 445. Wing:
among setae anteriorly at base, midcoxa Length 2.54-3.0 mm (mean 2.7 mm); gen-
usually with few inconspicuous pale scales erally paler and scaling reduced, dark spots
among setae laterally at base, hindcoxa of posterior veins very faint or absent,
without scales; femora, tibiae and first tar- fringe spots unapparent. Genitalia (Fig.
someres with speckles and blotches of pale 1C): Gonocoxite with pale yellow scales on
yellow scaling; foretarsus with pale bands lateral surface; with 5 parabasal setae, most
across joints, mid- and hindtarsi with nar- sternocaudal seta long and slender, similar
row pale bands or dorsal pale spots at api- to unspecialized setae of gonocoxite; gon-
ces of tarsomeres 144, sometimes faint or ostylus strongly and evenly curved in distal
absent on midtarsomeres 244, hindtarso- half, with row of minute setae along ster-
mere 5 usually narrowly pale at base. Ab- nomesal margin and | or 2 longer setae on
domen: Integument dark, with golden se- tergal side near apex; claspette with long
tae; tergum I and sterna I-VI without apical seta about 1.5 length of club and 3
scales, terga II-VIII largely covered (except or 4 shorter subapical setae, club formed of
laterally) with pale yellow to golden fusi- 4 fused setae; aedeagus with 2 or 3 pairs of
form and narrow spatulate (primarily) smooth, slender, attenuated leaflets; proctig-
scales, cerci with similar scales, sternum er membranous, with lightly sclerotized
VIII, and sometimes posterior area of ster- long narrow lateral paraprocts.
num VII, with scattered pale scales (see Pupa (Fig. 1A, B).4Character and po-
Glick 1992: Fig. 64). sitions of setae as figured; numbers of
Male.4Similar to female except for ob- branches in Table 1. Cephalothorax: Light-
vious sexual differences; other differences ly tanned, legs darker, scutum and meta-
include the following. Head: Proboscis notum with darker blotches. Seta 7-CT
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 2 37]
about 1.8 length of 6-CT, usually double, marginal serrations (refractile border) begin
sometimes triple; 8-CT normally single, 0.2640.40 from base and end 0.4840.66
rarely double; 10-CT usual double or triple from base where they grade into short hy-
(144 branches) with branches arising near aline filaments; refractile index 0.2540.43
base; 11-CT usually split distally into 245 (mean 0.35). Seta 1-Pa long, sinuous, with
short branches, sometimes single. Trumpet: hooked tip, about one-third length of pad-
Angusticorn, moderately tanned, borne on dle; 2-Pa well developed, relatively long,
tubercle, tracheoid absent, pinna without with 245(4) branches.
slit; length 0.3740.46 mm (mean 0.42 mm); Larva, fourth-instar (Fig. 2).-Character
meatus fairly long, 0.1540.22 mm (mean and positions of setae as figured; numbers
0.18 mm); pinna slightly longer, 0.1940.25 of branches in Table 2. Head: Length 0.604
mm (mean 0.23 mm). Abdomen: Length 0.72 mm (mean 0.67 mm), width 0.6440.77
2.2243.04 mm (mean 2.54 mm); lightly mm (mean 0.71 mm); moderately tanned,
tanned, anterior margins of sterna darker, darker patches behind setae 547-C and pos-
progressively lighter after sternum IV. Seta terior to eyes, collar and dorsomentum
Q-II-VIH minute, simple, inserted anterior darkly tanned. Seta 2-C single, aciculate or
and usually slightly mesad of seta 2; seta 1- frayed in distal half; 3-C generally single
H-IV with multiple thin flexible branches, but often with aciculae or dendritic pro-
1-V usually double (144 branches) and lon- cesses; 4-C single, rarely double, relatively
ger than following tergum, 1-VI,VII usually long, extending well beyond base of 2-C;
single (infrequently double) and longer than 6,7-C relatively short, about half length of
following tergum; seta 6-II generally triple 5-C, 11-C with comparatively few branches
(345 branches) and nearly twice length of (8-18, commonly 15). Antenna: Moderate-
seta 7, 6-III4VII multiple branched, number ly tanned; mesal and ventral surfaces with
of branches generally progressively de- relatively sparse needle-like spicules; length
crease from 6-III to 6-VII; seta 7-III,1V of- 0.2040.28 mm (mean 0.25 mm). Seta 1-A
ten inserted within striations of fold line, 7- small, about as long as diameter of antenna,
V4-VII always inserted on fold line, 7-VII single, inserted about one-third distance be-
inserted at posterior margin of segment, tween base and apex of antenna. Thorax:
seta 7-III-V short, branched, 7-VI,VII usu- Integument hyaline, smooth. Seta 1-P on
ally single, long, about length of following small setal support plate, with 548(7) rather
sternum; setae 8,10,11-II absent, alveolus widely spaced branches; 2-P on margin of
of 8-II usually present; seta 9-I relatively plate bearing seta 3-C, single; 11-P signi-
short, about 0.35 length of 6-I, usually sin- ficantly larger than 11-M,T, with 244(3)
gle, occasionally double; 9-II-IV_ small, branches; support plate of pleural setal
peg-like; 9-V4VII long, curved, simple and group 9412-P with small lateral spine, 9-
sharply pointed, length not substantially in- P.M,T and 10-T always branched, 10-M,T
creasing from segment V to segment VII; and 12-PM,T often single but sometimes
9-VIII plumose with 7411(8) branches aris- with 2 or 3 branches, 12-T more often tri-
ing from a normally thickened non-flat- ple; 14-P with relatively few branches (24
tened central stem. Genital lobe: Length 5, usually 3); 4-M usually with 2 or 3
about 0.25 mm in female; about 0.45 mm branches arising from short stem, occasion-
in male, with nipple at apex. Paddle: ally with 4 branches, rarely single or with
Lightly pigmented (hyaline), buttress and 5 branches; 6-M rather long, usually with 3
midrib slightly darker, midrib distinct to or 4 branches arising from short stem, range
near seta 2-Pa; length 0.6440.77 mm (mean 3-8 branches; 7-M farther ventrad of 6-M
0.71 mm), width 0.4340.56 mm (mean 0.50 than usual (not evident in Fig. 2), with 34
mm), index 1.3541.48 (mean 1.42); outer 6(4) branches arising from short stem; 3-T
part with spicules ending before seta |-Pa, very often single, sometimes with 2 or 3
N
O
T
G
N
I
H
S
A
W

F
O

Y 8pajunos jou = ou
T
EI 8sassa0oid ontsipuap Jo avpnoioe Buoy YM a[suls A[[vssuaH
CO 8sassaooid ayl][-Yyouvig Japuays 10 avpnoiow /4-Z YIM dISUIS x
S i

LAC 4= = ==I == I 4-I ==I ==I osI 4a 4= a=s (9) 8-+= = (p) S-¬= oouu fCpl]
IG (9) 8-¬ (¬) S-¬ (ty) S-¬ (¢) S-¬ (¢) 9-+ (tv) 9-¬ (¬) p8¬ (9) 6-S (¬) S-@ (C)is=2 EI
OL (Z) ¬-1 Cs4c @e-1 (Oye=I (Z) ¬-I (¬) S-Z ici CDiget (Migr (HiIS=e rl
OM (7) v-7 (Z) S-Z (Z) ¬-1 (2) c= (1) ¬-1 (¬) pI I I (Direc (GW) S18) Sur
O (¬) v-I (Z) ¬-1 (Z) 7 'I ie-1 (¬) --I CDical (8) pI-¬ (1) ZT (1) ¬-1 Oi9 Te OL
T
N (p) S-¬ (bp) S-¬ @ Se OOS SG@ieL (S) 6-+ (8) ¬I-9 (9) OI-Z (6) ZI-S (p)9-% 6
E @is-t (ict @Mic-I (Z) ¬ 87 (Z) p-7 4 (61)SZ-IIl (SI)07-8 (61) P7-EI (e)rI 8
EH (e) r8¬ (¬) S-¬ (p) 9-¬ (yp) L-¬ (OZ) ZE-ZL, (0%) 7e-FI1_~4s (81) STS @o-ce CEDILIETI C1) SIS0L WL
T (¬) S-¬ (Qis=s (Sc) i-p= (EDISI-= MED Isl (6Dieceri (¬) p-7 (¬) 8-¬ li (ODA ey)
FO CP ise mG) Svan OIE b, (S) 9-¬ (vy) S-¬ (S) 9-b (9) 8-9 (vy) L-¬ LE-tl Io UCECCS-8 K6SISE. US
S ie (AS ote: AGO aM I (¬) vl @it-z (S)IS4Z (b) 9-¬ (bp) 9-¬ (¬) ¬-1 (tI C©D6i-1l (Mert
GN (OG=San AS) eC Cea I Qa (¬) p-Z I I I GD isel Dial lL) Qe Wee
ID (SiN iat (G)eEe (Syst I I Wiz (S) S-I @yiee (¬) p-7 I Cicat (8) OI-L be oS
EE Gis Ie @ie41e i= (8) 6-S (SQ) OI-C 4=(S)01-r (9) 8-¢ (bp) 9-¬ (¬) p-@ (Glee ECO 91 (D8=6 Te
COR Pe == Ia I eI e I ee ee I ee Ie e ee I = a e= eI i 0)
P
pe SS TS SS eS a bo ee ee ee L W d peooy H 1o9NS
es}usWIZ9g FeUeTWOpgY xvloUu
8ISWUDYSUID (DIIJAD) Sajaydouy JO IeIOS [BAIR] IeISUI-YLANOJ JOF sayouvsq JO ssoquinu JO (9pout) asuey <7 FIGP.L
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 2 378
NNU p
Y/
+404-5 4 4J
Fig. 2. Fourth-instar larva of Anopheles (Cellia) ainshamsi. A, Head, dorsal (left) and ventral (right) aspects
of left side. B, Thorax and abdominal segments I-VI, dorsal (left) and ventral (right) aspects of left side. C,
Abdominal segments VII4X, left side. A, antenna; C, cranium, P, prothorax; M, mesothorax; MANP, median
accessory tergal plate; S, spiracular lobe; T, metathorax; TP, tergal plate; I-VUI,X = abdominal segments I4
VIII and X: 1-15 = setal numbers for specified areas, e.g., seta 5-C. Scales in mm.
374 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
branches; 11-T minute, sometimes absent; specimens, including two paratypes, were
12-T usually triple, sometimes double, rare- used for DNA extraction. Unfortunately,
ly single. Abdomen: Integument hyaline, PCR amplification of the extracted DNA
smooth; tergal plates on segments I-VI, was unsuccessful using primers for the nu-
roughly triangular, small, width 0.1 or less clear ITS2 region and the mitochondrial
diameter of segments, median accessory COI gene. Specimens preserved explicitly
tergal plates on segments II-VI. Seta 1-I for DNA studies are needed for the molec-
weakly developed, with normal branches, ular characterization of An. ainshamsi.
usually triple, occasionally double, rarely Etymology.4The species is named in
with 4 branches, 1-II4-VII palmate, with rel- recognition of Ain Shams University, Cai-
atively few leaflets, leaflets darkly pig- ro, Egypt, and its support of mosquito bi-
mented distally, generally lanceolate but ological research and vector control.
some with weakly developed shoulders and Systematics.4Anopheles ainshamsi,
short filaments; 3-I-HI,V,VI fairly long, sin- originally identified as An. stephensi, was
gle (3-V occasionally double), 3-IV usually first discovered near Ras Gharib on the Gulf
triple (2-4), 3-VII frequently double or tri- of Suez coast in 1966 (Gad 1967). Larvae
ple but most often single; 9-I,II inserted and a few adults reared from larvae were
more or less mesal to seta 7; 2-II, III, VII sent to Dr Peter Mattingly in London, who
branched, 2-IV4VI single (2-VI rarely dou- noted 8<8marked differences99 between these
ble); 6-[V4VI well developed, with long specimens and specimens of An. stephensi
branches arising well beyond the base of in the BMNH (Gad and Kamel 1967). De-
central rachis. Pecten plate moderately spite the apparent differences, the Egyptian
tanned, darker on anterior margin, with 124 specimens were added to the museum9s col-
17(15) spines, spines with denticles princi- lection (now the NHM collection) of An.
pally on dorsal margins, one to few minute stephensi. The specimens include seven lar-
spicules on ventral margins, longer spines vae mounted on a single microscope slide,
usually at each end with few interspersed four pinned females, and a pinned male
among shorter spines. Seta 1-S large but with dissected genitalia on a microscope
with only 446(5) branches; 2-S_ usually slide. The microscope slides are labeled
with 4 or 5 branches (247). Saddle moder- <<An. (Cellia) stephensi/EG YPT/Shokeir/
ately tanned, short, dorsal length 0.2440.30 near Ras Ghareb/x1:1966/A.M. Gad/From
mm (mean 0.27 mm), lateral margins irreg- brackish swamp/near seashore, Red/Sea
ular in outline. Seta 1-X inserted on margin coast99, and the pinned adults each bear a
of saddle, long, about twice length of sad- label inscribed with <<EGYPT/Shokeir/near
dle, single or double, more often single; 2- Ras Ghareb/xi:1966/Brackish swamp/near
X with 12421(15) branches, most branches seashore=9. Thus, it seems that Mattingly
on dorsal side of rachis, relatively straight, did not seriously question Gad9s identifica-
with fine tapering tips; 3-X with relatively tion of the species despite the differences
few (5-9, mode 6) mostly long, thick, he observed in the adult and larval stages.
slightly curved, apically hooked branches; After quoting the differences noted by Mat-
4-X (ventral brush) with 9 offset pairs of tingly, Gad and Kamel (1967) suggested
setae. Anal papillae very small, short, ba- that the <8marked differences in the Egyp-
cillus-shaped, length about 0.09 mm. tian material might indicate that the mos-
DNA sequence.4Specimens available quito has existed for a long time in the
for this study included the type series that area.=
comprises material collected in 1983 (see Gad (1967) may have used Mattingly and
below) and a series of pinned adults taken Knight9s (1956) keys to the mosquitoes of
from a laboratory colony maintained at Arabia (the Arabian Peninsula south of the
Harvard University in 1982. Ten of these Sinai, Jordan and Iraq, and adjacent islands)
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 2 Bis
to identify the Anopheles mosquito from the Coetzee (1987), which are the only avail-
Gulf of Suez coast. Adult females and lar- able keys for the identification of this life
vae of An. ainshamsi both key to An. ste- stage of Afrotropical Anopheles. Identifi-
phensi in these keys. Although the two spe- cation terminates at couplet 25 because seta
cies are similar, they are easily distin- 1-V,VI is long in An. ainshamsi and must
guished by the characters listed in Table 3. be short to key to An. dancalicus and An.
Some of these characters are illustrated and salbaii.
used to distinguish adult females of the two Anopheles ainshamsi obviously belongs
species in Glick9s (1992) pictorial key to to the Neocellia Series, a group of species
the anopheline mosquitoes of southwestern that breed in open temporary pools of water
Asia and Egypt. and are characterized by the presence of
Females of An. ainshamsi lead to An. broad scutal scales and the absence of upper
dancalicus in the pictorial key to the anoph- proepisternal setae in the adults. Larvae
eline mosquitoes of Ethiopia constructed by have one long mesopleural and two long
Verrone (1962a), and are also identified as metapleural setae branched. The series, as
this species in the computer key to the currently defined, includes 16 species divid-
Anopheles of the Afrotropical Region de- ed between three species groups and 14
veloped by Hervy et al. (1998). Females species, including An. dancalicus, An. herv-
key to couplets that distinguish An. salbati yl, An. salbaii and An. stephensi, that are
and An. dancalicus, and are identified as unassigned to species groups (Harbach
An. salbaii, in the keys to the Afrotropical 2004). As An. ainshamsi does not exhibit
anophelines by Gillies and de Meillon features that diagnose any of the currently
(1968) and Gillies and Coetzee (1987). It recognized species groups, and shares sa-
should be borne in mind, however, that An. lient anatomical features with four unas-
hervyi is not included in the last two keys signed species, it must be regarded as an-
because it was unknown when these keys other unassigned species of the Neocellia
were developed, and An. salbaii is not in- Series. Based on overall morphological
cluded in Verrone9s key because it is not similarity, as indicated in Table 3 and re-
known to occur in Ethiopia. Hervy et al. flected in the use of the identification keys
(1998) included An. hervyi in their com- mentioned above, An. adinshamsi appears to
puter key even though it was not formally be more closely related to An. dancalicus
described until the following year. than to the other three species. Areas of the
Larvae of An. ainshamsi key to An. scutum and wings of the adults bear the
dancalicus in the Verrone9s (1962b) pic- same ornamentation and markings, pupal
torial key to the anopheline larvae of Ethi- setae 1-V4VII and 7-VI,VII are similarly
opia. They also key to this species in the developed, and the leaflets of larval setae
keys of Gillies and de Meillon (1968) and 1-IV4VII are lanceolate (usually) or have
Gillies and Coetzee (1987), but they are weakly developed shoulders and a short fil-
not identifiable as either An. dancalicus or ament.
An. salbaii in the computer key of Hervy Bionomics.4Larvae of An. ainshamsi
et al. (1998). As in the case of Verrone9s occur in shallow clear saltwater pools, usu-
key for adult females, his key for larvae ally shaded by halophilic shrubs, Avicennia
does not include An. salbaii. Unfortunate- marina (Forsk.) (Avicenniacae: Verbena-
ly, the immature stages of An. hervyi are ceae), and various grasses. The water some-
unknown. times contains dense mats of grass and fil-
Pupae fail to be identified as either An. amentous green algae. Larvae are also
dancalicus or An. salbaii in the keys of Gil- abundant in depressions and drilled holes
lies and de Meillon (1968) and Gillies and without vegetation. Larvae of Ochlerotatus