Molecular phylogenetic analysis of New Zealand mosquito species

Taxonomic information for New Zealand mosquito species is predominantly morphological with very few molecular data available to date. In this study, the mitochondrialCOIgene and nuclear ITS1 were amplified and sequenced from DNA templates representing 17 species; 15 previously known New Zealand species, a newly discovered undescribedAedesspecies from the Chatham Islands and a recently eradicated invader,Ae. camptorhynchus. This paper provides DNA barcoding sequences for the entire known New Zealand mosquito fauna, the first for the majority of these species. Phylogenetic analysis ofCOIand ITS1 indicated that the endemic species are all genetically distinct from the exotic species examined including vector species of pathogens of human diseases. The genusOpifexis distant from the genusAedesbased on analysis of ITS1 sequences, andAe. chathamicusis more closely related to species withinAedesthan to the genusOpifex. Results showCulex asteliaeto be a valid species butCx. rotoruaeis not necessarily so. TheAedesspecies appears to be closely related toAe. subalbirostris. The introducedCx. quinquefasciatuswas clearly shown to be relatedto Cx. pipiens; however, the endemicCx. pervigilanswas not. No evidence of population variation based on geographic location was detected.