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

RIBgIRO, H. & RAMOS, H. Cunha -- <strong>Research</strong> on the mosquitoes of Angola m X
ratio was thereafter used by the writers as a satisfactory criterium for
separating females of both Angolan forms of the pipiens complex.
As to the larvae associated with quinquefasciatus males, only the
branching of the proximal two pairs of siphonal tufts were considered
of diagnostic significance (see under pipiens s.s.). For these tufts in
such associated larvae, the mean number of branches per tuft was 8.5
(range 5.0-11.25), individual tufts exhibiting 4-13 branches. After the
examination of our samples of the Angolan larvae of the pipiens
complex, however, a small fraction of specimens was found, in samples
without associated adults, in which the mean for these tufts was about
4. Even if this may indicate a slight overlap in the variation of this
character in both taxa, such individual specimens usually belonged
to samples that, as such, had means within the range surely known
for quinquel'asciatus in Angola (5.0-11.25).
The preceding notes, showing the marked degree of morphological
distinctiveness between pipiens s..tr. and quinquefasciatus in Angola,
are related to the delicate and, as it seems to us, yet unsolved question
of the tay.nomic status of both forms. In fact, on purely morphologica'
g:omds, more and greater differences (concerning both adults
and larvae) are found between these two forms not only than those
separating mosquito subspecies but also between many of the species
of the smaller groups within the pipiens group of Edwards. In other
words: the morphological differences between pipiens s. str. and quinquefasciatus,
as such, are of the specific level.
Certainly, taxonomy is much more than morphology and the main
question arises as to if the spatial distribution of both forms is or is
not in accordance with the apparent level of the morphological differences.
It must be said, however, that the purpose of the present writers
is not to carry out a general discussion on the world-wide distributed
C. pipiens complex but only to contribute to such discussion
through the analysis of the Angolan situation concerning members of
the complex. As it is shown on Map 13, quinquefasciatus is widely
distributed in Angola, from Cabinda to N'giva and from the coast to,
at least, Saurimo and Moxico. In the northern half of the country this
seems to be, by far, the predominant form of the complex, becoming
its sole representative along the costal belt north of the parallel 12 ø S.
From this latitude southwards, quinquefasciatus is largely sympatric
with pipiens s. sir. and, with the exception of the extreme Southern
Estud., Ets. e Doc.- 134 9,5