Introduction:

Anopheles albitarsis F has been reported with natural infection by Plasmodium falciparum. In the Orinoquía, this species is in sympatry with Anopheles darlingi, a major malaria vector.

Objective:

To determine morphometric variations in diagnostic characters of wings and hind legs in adult mosquitoes of two populations of the Orinoquia region, where malaria is a major public health issue.

Materials and methods:

Using linear and geometric morphometry approaches, wing patterns of Costa veins from wild females, females obtained from entomological series and isofamilies were analyzed. Shape and wing size were estimated. The second hindtarsomere was analyzed by means of linear morphometry.

Results:

Two patterns of spots on the Costa vein of the wings were observed. Significant statistical differences (p<0.05) were found in wing size and shape between wild females and females obtained under laboratory conditions. In the populations studied, a PHD/HP ratio of 1.17-1.19 in the Costa vein and a 0.38-0.54 for the DSIII2/TaIII2 ratio in the second posterior tarsomere of the hind legs, proposed as diagnostic characters.

Conclusion.

The studied populations of An. albitarsis F showed significant differences between wild females and those obtained under laboratory conditions, not only in wing size, but also in shape. New ranges presented for the diagnostic characters of the species.

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