日本産シナハマダラカ群の研究 : マラリア疫学上の立場から

Taxonomical and ecological studies on the mosquitoes of Anopheles sinensis group , which consists of four species including important vectors of malaria parasites in Japan, and some other anophelines in Hokkaido, Tohoku and Okinawa were carried out. Comparative observations of external morphology of every stage by light- and scanning electron-microscopy revealed close similarities among each species of An. sinensis group, being steadily distinguishable from other anophelines. Some morphological features, i.e. presence or absence of small scales on the humeral cross vein and coxae, shape of the leaflets of phallosome in adult, structure of the trumpet rim of pupa, shape of the outer clypeal hairs of larva and patterns of the plastron networks on egg, were first demonstrated to be useful as distinguishing characteristics from other anophelines. The closer relationship among An. sinensis group was also confirmed by electrophoretic analyses of isozymes of leucine aminopeptidase and non-specific esterases. These findings indicate the validity of taxonomical grouping of species of An. sinensis group. Ecological surveys in Hokkaido and Tohoku showed geographical coincidence between the distribution of An. lesteri and the former endemic areas of vivax malaria, suggesting that this species was the main vector of the malaria in those areas, at least in southern part of Hokkaido.