Wing geometric morphometrics as a tool for the identification of Culex subgenus mosquitoes of Culex (Diptera: Culicidae)

Culex is the largest subgenus within the genus Culex that includes important vectors of diseases. The correct identification of mosquitoes is critical for effective control strategies. Wing geometric morphometrics (WGM) has been used to identify mosquito species alongside traditional identification methods. Here, WGM was used for eleven Culex species from São Paulo, Brazil, and one from Esquel, Argentina. Adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC (Centers for Disease Control) traps, morphologically identified and analyzed by WGM. The canonical variate analysis (CVA) was performed and a Neighbor-joining (NJ) tree was constructed to illustrate the patterns of species segregation. A cross-validated reclassification test was also carried out.From 110 comparisons in the cross-validated reclassification test, 87 yielded values higher than 70%, with 13 comparisons yielding 100% reclassification scores. Culex quinquefasciatus yielded the highest reclassification scores among the analyzed species, corroborating with the results obtained by the CVA, in which Cx. quinquefasciatus was the most distinct species. The high values obtained at the cross-validated reclassification test and in the NJ analysis as well as the segregation observed at the CVA made it possible to distinguish among Culex species with high degrees of confidence, suggesting that WGM is a reliable tool to identify Culex species of the subgenus Culex.Fil: Simões, Roseli. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Wilke, André. University of Miami; Estados UnidosFil: Romeiro Fernandes Chagas, Carolina. Nature Research Centre.Institute of Ecology; LituaniaFil: Tironi de Menezes, Regiane. Superintendência Controle de Endemias do Estado de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Suesdek, Lincoln. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Multini, Laura. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Santos Silva, Fabiana. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil. Superintendência Controle de Endemias do Estado de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Grech, Marta Gladys. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina. Superintendência Controle de Endemias do Estado de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Toledo Marrelli, Mauro. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Kirchgatter, Karin. Superintendência Controle de Endemias do Estado de Sao Paulo; Brasil. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi