ANOPHELES (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) SPECIES COMPLEX IN THAILAND: IDENTIFICATION, DISTRIBUTION, BIONOMICS AND MALARIA-VECTOR IMPORTANCE

Anopheles mosquitoes are still considered to be important vectors worldwide, with approximately 80 species of them incriminated as vectors of malaria, filarial nematode and encephalitis virus. Among these, at least 30 species exhibit species complexes, which comprise about 145 sibling species members. The exhibition of species complexes within the taxon of some Anopheles lead to complication of vector control that results from the difficulty in precisely identifying sibling (isomorphic) species members and their difference in biological characteristics. During the past 3 decades in Thailand, at least 6 malaria vectors, i.e., An. dirus, An. minimus, An. maculatus, An. sundaicus, An. barbirostris and An. leucosphyrus were proven to be species complexes. Thus, the objective of this review is to provide the current taxonomical information of Thai Anopheles species complexes, including techniques used in the identification of sibling species members, their geographic distribution, bionomic status and malaria-vector importance.