Linkage Studies between dark body and ruby eye loci in Anopheles stephensi , an urban malaria vector in India

摘要

Anopheles stephensi is an important urban malarial vector in the Indian sub-continent which accounts forabout 15% of the annual malaria incidence. Chemical control is most effective and immediate incontrolling the vectors, but they cause major long term problems such as environmental pollution andresistance. Genetic control is the alternative method of controlling the vectors. In order to develop such amethod, it is mandatory that the genetic makeup of the vector species should be established. Linkagestudy is one such aspect of characterizing the genetic makeup of a vector. Two morphological mutants,dark body (da) and ruby eye (ru) in An. stephensi were isolated and established. These genes were foundto be recessive, monofactorial and autosomal. Linkage studies between the two mutants were carried out.Mendelian crosses were made and the results showed that the genes da and ru are non-linked and couldbelong to two separate linkage groups. Such studies will aid in the construction of the linkage map andthe mutants can be used in basic and applied research.