Genetic analyses of Ribosomal loci of Anopheles minimus

Abstract. Anopheles minimus is one of the major vectors for transmission of malaria disease in north eastern (NE) region of India. The minimus species complex of Minimus subgroup of Myzomyia series of anophelines were studied in malaria affected states- Assam and Arunachal Pradesh (AP) of NE India. Ribosomal DNA markers- second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) and third domain (D3) of 28S gene were used to characterize An. minimus species. Sequence homogeneity was observed in D3 sequences of An.minimus specimens throughout both the states. However, a transversion in ITS2 sequence of single specimen collected from Assam-Meghalaya border areas illustrates possibility of intra population polymorphism in ITS2 sequence within the geographical region. Anopheles minimus sensu lato (s.l.) Theobald 1901, of Minimus subgroup of Myzomyia Series is recognized as an important malaria vector species in Oriental region. Anopheles minimus comprises of three sibling species, namely An. minimu