A preliminary report on DNA barcoding and phylogenetic relationships of certain public health important mosquito species recorded in rural areas of south India.

Biological research depends on proper identification and classification of species. Species were identified and classified by morphological key-based method. However, the conventional morphology-based taxonomical methods have many demerits. The inherent limitations of the conventional taxonomical identification methods indicate the need for a new and simple method of taxon identification. Mosquito remains the major contributor of causing nuisance and transmitting deadly pathogens to human. Correct identification and classification of mosquito vector is the central part to the study of vector-borne disease surveillance and control. The conventional morphology-based identification methods are time consuming and not always sufficient to identify at the species level. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach including morphological and molecular techniques is essential. DNA barcode technique has been found promising in the rapid description of biodiversity 1 . DNA barcoding works by amplifying a short stretch of a single gene of mitochondria of the animal kingdom. The technique has also been used in the identification of sibling species of mosquitoes 2 .