Türkiye'de Culex Pipiens Linneaus 1758 (Dıptera:Culıcıdae) Tür Kompleksinin Taksonomik Durumu

Abstract

The morphologically similar members of Culex pipiens species complex differ in their ecophysiology and behaviour. Among them, Culex pipiens pipiens, Cx. p. pallens, Cx. quinquefasciatus and forms of Cx. p. pipiens (molestus ve pipiens) are known to hybridize in regions where their distributional ranges overlap. Although Cx. torrentium is not a member of this complex, its morphological characters are very similar to those of Cx. pipiens s.l.. Taxa classified in Culex genus are the proven or probable vectors of human and animal diseases. Compared to the parental taxa, the hybrids of different members of Cx. pipiens s.l. are reported to have increased vectorial compterence for pathogens. Therefore, it is important to discriminate between morphologically similar taxa and possible hybrids correctly. The aim of this study was to identify the members of Cx. pipiens s.l., the possible hybrids and Cx. torrentium. For this purpose, specimens collected from 29 provinces and 95 localities between 2009-2018 were identified using Ace-2 gene and CQ11 microsatellite. Cx. pipiens f. pipiens was found to be distributed in 25 provinces in all geographic regions whereas molestus form of Culex pipiens s.s and hybrids of pipens and molestus were found in all geographical regions except from Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia in 17 and 14 provinces, respectively. Cx. quinquefasciatus was only detected in Mardin in Southeastern Anatolia. However detection of Cx. quinquefasciatus - Cx. pipiens f. molestus hybrids in Kayseri province in the Central Anatolia may indicate the presence of Cx. quinquefasciatus in Central Anatolia. Culex pipiens f. molestus – Cx. quinquefasciatus hybrides were also detected in the Souteastern Anatolia region. Cx. torrentium were found to be distributed in Kırklareli, Thrace Region and in Samsun, Black Sea Region.

In conclusion, Ace-2 gene and CQ11 microsatellite locus were revealed to be robust molecular markers for discriminating between the members of Cx. pipiens s.l., hybrids of this complex, and Cx. torrentium distribute in Turkey