A Revision of the Argyritarsis Section of the Subgenus Nyssorhynchus of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract : Some of the most important anopheline vectors of malaria in the neotropical faunal region are members of the subgenus Nyssorhynchus. In the Argyritarsis Section of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) there are 18 available specific names. This revision recognizes 8 of these nominal taxa as valid biological species, based on the study on 7,659 specimens: 1,355 males, 212 male genitalia, 3,490 females, 1,724 larvae, 878 pupae, among which 607 were individual rearings. Species are described and illustrated, and their systematics, bionomics, medical importance and distribution discussed. Keys to sections of the subgenus Nyssorhynchus and to groups and species of the Argyritarsis Section are included. The Argyritarsis Section is divided into the Argyritarsis and Albitarsis Groups. The Argyritarsis Group is separated into 4 distinct subgroups: the Argyritarsis Subgroup comprised of 2 species, and the monotypic Darlingi, Lanei and Pictipennis Subgroups. The Albitarsis Group is separated into 2 distinct subgroups, the Albitarsis Subgroup composed of 2 species, albitarsis and marajoara, and the monotypic Braziliensis Subgroup. Both subgroups exhibit a number of apomorphic characters, but braziliensis appears to possess fewer and is symplesiomorphic for several characters of the Argyritarsis Group. Anopheles marajoara and sawyeri are resurrected from synonymy with albitarsis and argyritarsis respectively, to specific rank. Anopheles domesticus is transferred from a subspecies of albitarsis to synonmy with marajoara. Anopheles allopha is treated as a nomen dubium.