Mitochondrial DNA barcoding of mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand

• Published in: PloS one 2022-09, Vol.17 (9), p.e0275090-e0275090
• Main Authors: Chaiphongpachara, Tanawat, Changbunjong, Tanasak, Laojun, Sedthapong, Nutepsu, Teerayoot, Suwandittakul, Nantana, Kuntawong, Kewarin, Sumruayphol, Suchada, Ruangsittichai, Jiraporn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Anopheles; Biology and Life Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences; Culicidae; Cytochrome; Cytochrome oxidase; Cytochrome-c oxidase; Cytochromes; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA barcoding; Gene sequencing; Genetic aspects; Genetic diversity; Identification; Identification and classification; Infectious diseases; Laboratories; Medicine and Health Sciences; Methods; Mitochondrial DNA; Molecular biology; Morphology; Mosquitoes; People and Places; Phylogeny; Public health; Research and analysis methods; Sibling species; Taxonomy; Thermal cycling
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275090

The correct identification of mosquito species is important for effective mosquito vector control. However, the standard morphological identification of mosquito species based on the available keys is not easy with specimens in the field due to missing or damaged morphological features during mosquito collections, often leading to the misidentification of morphologically indistinguishable. To resolve this problem, we collected mosquito species across Thailand to gather genetic information, and evaluated the DNA barcoding efficacy for mosquito species identification in Thailand. A total of 310 mosquito samples, representing 73 mosquito species, were amplified using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI ) primers. The average maximum intraspecific genetic variation of the 73 mosquito species was 1% ranged from 0–5.7%. While, average minimum interspecific genetic variation (the distance to the nearest neighbour) of the 73 mosquito species was 7% ranged from 0.3–12.9%. The identification of success rates based on the “Best Match,” “Best Close Match,” and “All Species Barcodes” methods were 97.7%, 91.6%, and 81%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of Anopheles COI sequences demonstrated a clear separation between almost all species (except for those between An . baimaii and An . dirus ), with high bootstrap support values (97%–99%). Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses revealed potential sibling species of An . annularis , An . tessellatus , and An . subpictus in Thailand. Our results indicated that DNA barcoding is an effective molecular approach for the accurate identification of mosquitoes in Thailand.