Further chromatographic studies of the systematic relationship within the Anopheles gambiae complex; studies of laboratory strains.

As serious consideration is given to initiating malaria eradication programmes in tropical Africa, it becomes essential to be able to distinguish between the various species comprising the Anopheles gambiae complex. At the present time, A and B species cannot be separated by conventional taxonomic methods.The chromatographic method used in the thorough statistical study reported is capable of differentiating between species of the A. gambiae complex. Whereas 9 of the 10 strains studied could be distinguished from one another, 8 of the strains fell into three species-groups. The results indicate that by this technique it may be possible to discern subtle species relationships not yet established by conventional taxonomy.