Revised Hyrcanus group phylogeny based on ITS2 resolution

Abstract

This study presents a meticulous reassessment of the phylogenetic relationships within the Hyrcanus Group of Anopheles (Anopheles) mosquitoes, a group of substantial medical and epidemiological importance. These vectors are responsible for the transmission of various diseases, including malaria, posing a significant public health challenge in many regions. This research employs advanced molecular techniques, specifically focusing on the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) region, to enhance taxonomic resolution within this complex group of mosquitoes. The ITS2 region has proven to be a valuable molecular marker for differentiating closely related species and refining our understanding of their evolutionary history. A total of 857 ITS2 sequences of Hyrcanus group members were retrieved from the GenBank after using specific search keywords. 83 out of the initial retrieved sequenced were then finally selected and utilized in the analysis based on sequence quality and length. Sequences retrieved represent 22 out of the 25 members of the Hyrcanus group. This study clarified the confusion surrounding the taxonomic placement and synonymy of each member of the Hyrcanus group using the latest available molecular ITS2 sequence data through Neighbor Joining (NJ), Maximum Likelihood (ML), and Bayesian Inference (BI) phylogenetic tree analysis. The work also revised the taxonomic groupings based on morphological characters observed within the group and evaluated the limitations within the classification based on morphology and the challenges using molecular ITS2 data. A refined understanding of the Hyrcanus group phylogeny provides a foundation for more precise and tailored approaches to combat malaria and other vector-borne diseases in South Korea.