1.Cytogenetic, crossing and molecular evidence of two cytological forms of Anopheles argyropus and three cytological forms of Anopheles pursati (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand
Thongsahuan, S. ; Otsuka, Y. ; Baimai, V. ; Saeung, A. ; Hempolchom, C. ; Taai, K. ; Srisuka, W. ; Dedkhad, W. ; Sor-suwan, S. ; Choochote, W.
Tropical Biomedicine 2014;31(4):641-653
Nine and 11 isolines of Anopheles argyropus and Anopheles pursati, respectively,
were established from individual females collected from cow-baited traps, and the
characteristics of metaphase chromosomes were investigated in their F1-progenies. As
determined by the different amounts of extra heterochromatin on sex chromosomes, 2 types
of X (X1, X2) and Y (Y1,Y2), and 2 types of X (X1, X2) and 3 types of Y (Y1, Y2, Y3) chromosomes
were obtained from An. argyropus and An. pursati, respectively. These types of sex
chromosomes comprised 2 [Forms A (X1, Y1) and B (X1, X2, Y2)] and 3 [Forms A (X1, X2, Y1), B
(X1, X2, Y2) and C (X2, Y3)] karyotypic forms of An. argyropus and An. pursati, respectively.
All karyotypic forms acquired from An. pursati are new one that were discovered in this
study, of which Forms A, B and C were found generally in Chiang Mai Province, while only 1
isoline of Form B was obtained in Ratchaburi Province. Form A was recovered from An.
argyropus only in Ubon Ratchathani Province, whereas Form B from that species was found
commonly in both Ubon Rathchathani and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provinces. Crossing
experiments among the 2 and 3 isolines representing 2 and 3 karyotypic forms of An. argyropus
and An. pursati, respectively, indicated genetic compatibility in yielding viable progenies
and synaptic salivary gland polytene chromosomes through F2-generations. The conspecific
natures of these karyotypic forms in both species were further supported by very low
intraspecific sequence variations (average genetic distance: An. argyropus = 0.003-0.007,
An. pursati = 0-0.005) of ribosomal DNA (ITS2) and mitochondrial DNA (COI and COII).
2.Hemocyte classification of three mosquito vectors: Aedes togoi, Anopheles lesteri and Culex quinquefasciatus
Dedkhad, W. ; Bartholomay, L.C. ; Christensen, B.M. ; Hempolchom, C. ; Chaithong, U. ; Saeung, A.
Tropical Biomedicine 2019;36(2):505-513
Insect blood cells or hemocytes play an important role in the defense against
parasites and other pathogenic organisms. However, the hemocyte types of three mosquito
vectors, Aedes togoi, Anopheles lesteri and Culex quinquefasiatus are not well known.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the hemocytes of these three mosquito
species based on morphology using light microscopy. The abdominal cutting and perfusion
method was used in this study as it took the fewest steps, provided the largest number of
hemocytes and yielded less contamination with fat body cells. Hemocyte typing, based on
morphology, revealed three types of hemocytes (prohemocytes, oenocytoids and
granulocytes) that were contained in the hemolymph of all three mosquito species. This
study demonstrated that the use of distinct morphology with light microscopy provided
sufficient criteria to characterize and differentiate mosquito hemocytes. This technique
will be useful in terms of cost saving and for new researchers who begin to study in this
field.