Identification of four species of the Anopheles hyrcanus complex (Diptera : Culicidae) found in Korea using species-specific primers for Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay

Abstract

For identification of four sibling species of the Anopheles hyrcanus complex found in Korea, the 5.8 rDNA-ITS2-28S rDNA region of each species was sequenced and the species-specific primers were designed. The amplified PCR products obtained from each species were analyzed by electrophoresis on 3% agarose gel. The result showed a single species-specific band, i.e. 559bp, 432bp, 322bp and 192bp for An. sinensis, An. sp., An. lesteri and An. pullus, respectively. In conclusion, the species-specific PCR primers designed from ITS2 variable regions functioned successfully and specifically, and can be applied as a useful tool for identifying species of the Hyrcanus complex found in Korea.