A study of the distribution of the Culex pipiens complex (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes in the European part of Russia by molecular methods of identification

Three members of the Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes, Culex pipiens L. (including the pipiens and molestus forms) and Culex torrentium Martini, occur in the European part of Russia. The geographical and biotopic distribution of these mosquitoes was studied using molecular-genetic methods for their identification. They included Wolbachia infection, sizes of ITS2 of rDNA, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene of the mitochondrial DNA (both 3’ and 5’ ends of COI). In all, 40 collections of mosquitoes were made in 30 localities, and 1062 individuals were identified. The notion of the distribution of the sibling-species C. pipiens and C. torrentium was confirmed and enlarged. Homogeneous and heterogeneous populations consisting of C. pipiens (the pipiens form) and C. torrentium and those consisting of both forms of C. pipiens were revealed in overground and underground habitats. The possible mechanisms of isolation between these members of the C. pipiens complex are discussed.