A New Classification for the Leucosphyrus Group of Anopheles (Cellia)

Abstract

The Leucosphyrus Group of the genus Anopheles, subgenus Cellia, is divided into three subordinate groups based upon an analysis of relative lengths of the female proboscis, maxillary palpus and forefemur, and the relationships among them. The Elegans, Leucosphyrus and Riparis Subgroups are proposed and currently recognized taxa are assigned to each. Assignment of species to the Dirus and Leucosphyrus Species Complexes is also indicated. The relationships of the subgroups are figured, and a listing of currently recognized taxa belonging to the Leucosphyrus Group is tabulated. 1NTRODUCTION The Leucosphyrus Group of the genus Anopheles is of considerable medical and public health importance in Southeast Asia. At least three members of the group are known to be highly efficient vectors of human malaria parasites, i.e., balabacensis Baisas, dims Peyton and Harrison and Zeucosphyrus Doenitz. Other members are sus- pected vectors and several are also known to transmit simian malaria parasites. A few works recording the historical importance of the Leucosphyrus Group species on malaria transmission include Clark and Choudhury (194 1 ), McArthur (1947, 195 l), Kuitert and Hitchcock (1948), Macan (1948), Colless (1950, 1933, Scanlon and Sandhinand (1965), Reid (1968) and Rosenberg and Maheswary (1982). Only in recent years has the public health significance of the group been fully realized, with dims now viewed by most in- vestigators as the most important vector on mainland Southeast Asia. As a result, there has been a considerable increase in interest and available resources for studying this group during the past 15 years. These studies now include all aspects of systematics, biology (behavioral and molecular) and epidemiology.