Anopheles bellator is a primary malaria vector in the Atlantic Forest. Partial sequences of timeless and Clock genes were used to assess the genetic differentiation of five Brazilian populations, which showed strong population structure (e.g. high F ST values and fixed differences) in all pairwise comparisons between Bahia sample and the others from Paraná, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states. Also, the resulting phylogenetic trees clearly grouped the sequences from Bahia in a different cluster with high bootstrap values. Among southern and southeastern populations low levels of genetic differentiation were found suggesting a general stability of the genetic structure.

ABSTRACT Near-infrared spectroscopy and microstructure of the scales of Sabethes (Sabethes) albiprivus (Diptera: Culicidae). Sabethes (Sabethes) albiprivus Theobald individuals vary considerably in size and color of the reflections of the scales on their thorax, abdomen, antepronotal lobes and occiput. The goal of this study was to investigate and to characterize the differences in the color of the scales among preserved specimens and to analyze the differences in the microstructures of the scales that cover their bodies using near-infrared spectroscopy, and to evaluate whether the latter is efficient in distinguishing the populations. A total of 201 adult females were analyzed for the characterization of color patterns. In addition, absorbance spectra and scanning electron microscope images were obtained from them. As a result of color analysis, two variations were identified, one represented by specimens with yellow or green scales and the other with blue or purple scales. The same two variations were corroborated using NIRS. Analysis of the microstructure of the scales lining the mesonotum, occiput and antepronotal lobes resulted in the same variations. The three methodologies, near-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and coloration of the reflections of the scales revealed two variations within Sa. albiprivus.

Variabilidade genética de uma população de Aedes aegypti do Paraná, Brasil, usando o gene mitocondrial ND4. Para analisar a variabilidade genética de populações de Aedes aegypti, 156 amostras foram coletadas em dez cidades do estado do Paraná, Brasil. Foi examinada a distribuição dos 311 pares de base do gene que codifica a subunidade 4 da enzima NADH desidrogenase. Pela amplificação e o sequenciamento deste fragmento foram identificados 8 haplótipos distintos. Os valores de diversidade genética foram altos (h = 0.702; p = 0.01556). A análise de AMOVA indicou que a maior variação ocorreu dentro das populações com um valor de FST de 0.32996 altamente significativo. Valores de FST foram significativos na maior das comparações entre as cidades. O isolamento por distância não foi significativo (r = -0.1216 e p = 0.755), indicando que a distância genética não está relacionada a distância geográfica. A análise de Neighbor-joining mostrou dois grupos genéticos distintos dentro do estado do Paraná, grupo I e grupo II. O polimorfismo de DNA e os dados de AMOVA indicam decréscimo de fluxo gênico no estado do Paraná, o que pode resultar em aumento da competência vetorial da população.

Genetic variability of a population of Aedes aegypti from Paraná, Brazil, using the mitochondrial ND4 gene. To analyze the genetic variability of populations of Aedes aegypti, 156 samples were collected from 10 municipalities in the state of Paraná, Brazil. A 311 base pairs (bp) region of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) mitochondrial gene was examined. An analysis of this fragment identified eight distinct haplotypes. The mean genetic diversity was high (h = 0.702; p = 0.01556). AMOVA analysis indicated that most of the variation (67%) occurred within populations and the F ST value (0.32996) was highly significant. F ST values were significant in most comparisons among cities. The isolation by distance was not significant (r = -0.1216 and p = 0, 7550), indicating that genetic distance is not related to geographic distance. Neighbor-joining analysis showed two genetically distinct groups within Paraná. The DNA polymorphism and AMOVA data indicate a decreased gene flow in populations from Paraná, which can result in increased vectorial competence.