Analysis of reproductive isolation between sibling species anopheles Albitarsis sensu stricto and Anopheles deaneorum, two malaria vectors belonging to the Albitarsis complex (Diptera: Culicidae).

Complexes of sibling species are common among mosquitoes, and their existence within vector species can have important epidemiological consequences. Anopheles albitarsis sensu stricto and Anopheles deaneorum Rosa-Freitas are two putative vectors of malaria parasites belonging to the Albitarsis species complex (Diptera: Culicidae). Using an induced mating technique, we studied the reproductive isolation between these two closely related species and their reciprocal hybrids. Evidence for hybrid male sterility consistent with Haldane's rule was found. The results indicate that male hybrids show very low insemination rates, probably due to abnormalities in their reproductive organs. In addition, the data show that hybrid males carrying an X chromosome derived from An. deaneorum perform significantly worse than hybrid males carrying an An. albitarsis s.s. X chromosome.