Comparative performance of a multi‐locus barcoding approach to enhance taxonomic resolution of New Zealand mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) pose a serious threat to human health globally and the accurate identification of mosquito species is fundamental entomological diagnostics surveillance implementing effective vector control management. However, cryptic complexes, incomplete or damaged specimens, juvenile life stages complicates task. Molecular characterisation has shown potential identify accurately overcomes difficulties that morphological diagnosis face. Here, we assessed effectiveness multi-locus barcoding approach using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) 2 (ITS2) regions New Zealand (n = 16) at highest taxonomic resolution, which can make more efficient. Our results show most could be distinctly separated from each other as well exotic either these (i.e., COI, ITS1 ITS2). The assessment discriminatory power ITS2 barcodes suggests better distinguish closely-related species. Two endemic Culex pervigilans complex (Cx. rotoruae Cx. pervigilans) were difficult COI regions. barcode detect greater genetic variation among individuals those two demonstrate resolve relationships them provide resolution complementary COI. Overall, this study provides reference DNA database for species, will aid in their higher corroborate traditional approaches perform discrimination complex. also preliminary diversity different Zealand, used baseline uncovering environmental geographical effect on genomic variations populations future.