Research on the mosquitoes of Angola - Systematic Catalog of ...

RIBgIRO, H. & RAMOS, H. Cunha -- <strong>Research</strong> on the mosquitoes of Angola X
invidiosus or as a distinct, closely allied species. And if one considers
both the kind and degree of the differences between both forms and the
existence of intermediate stages of development of seta f, we would be
inclined to the first hypothesis.
This seemed to be, in fact, the decision implicitly favoured by De
Meillon & Lavoipierre (32) when these Authors described, in 1944, the
form vicinalis from Yangambi (near Stanleyville - Kisangani) as a subspecies
of invidiosus. However, as the type form was recorded by Edwards
also from this area (Stanleyville), the taxonomic difficulties arise now
with the subspecific treatment of vicinalis. On the other hand, vicinalis
being a member of series decens, we cannot be but reluctant as
to accept such a subspecies differing so drastically from the rioruminate
one in the number and shape of the coxite lobe appendages. Finally,
the situation becomes even more delicate if we consider the previous
description by Edwards (op. cit., p. 340), also from Stanleyville, of a male
termina2ia quite similar to that of vicinalis. Thus, the areas of Yangambi-
Stanleyville (Zaire), Kampala (Uganda), Ibadan-Lagos (Southern Nigeria)
and, now, that of Banana-Cabinda (Congo River mouth) are the
key-areas for a taxonomic analysis of C. invidiosus and its closest allied
forms.
According to the distributional and morphological data available and
in the absence of mating experiments, the suggestion of the present
writers is that var. vexillatus be treated as a junior synonim of invidiosus
and that a specific rank be given both to vicinalis and to the form
described by Edwards (op. cit., p. 340 and Fig. 118 g) as which in his own opinion (p. 340).
In the writers' views, the affinities of the different forms (species)
within series decens of Edwards would be better established by grouping
them according to the number of appendages in the coxite lobe: group
decens/invidiosus/ornatothoracis/trifoliatus, with d, d', e and f; group
perfidiosus/perfuscus, with d, e and f; group of Edwards/vicinalis, with only e and f. The range of
variation in terminalic and external morphology characters within each
of these smaller groups is yet in need of extended research efforts.
DISTRIBUTION AND BIOEOOLOGICAL NOTES. Map 16 shows the known
distribution of var. vexillatus in Angola.
86 Estud., Ens. e Doc.- 134