Molecular phylogenetic analysis of New Zealand mosquito species

Taxonomic information for New Zealand mosquito species is predominantly morphological with very few molecular data available to date. In this study, the mitochondrial <i>COI</i> gene and nuclear ITS1 were amplified and sequenced from DNA templates representing 17 species; 15 previously known New Zealand species, a newly discovered undescribed <i>Aedes</i> species from the Chatham Islands and a recently eradicated invader, <i>Ae. camptorhynchus</i>. This paper provides DNA barcoding sequences for the entire known New Zealand mosquito fauna, the first for the majority of these species. Phylogenetic analysis of <i>COI</i> and ITS1 indicated that the endemic species are all genetically distinct from the exotic species examined including vector species of pathogens of human diseases. The genus <i>Opifex</i> is distant from the genus <i>Aedes</i> based on analysis of ITS1 sequences, and <i>Ae. chathamicus</i> is more closely related to species within <i>Aedes</i> than to the genus <i>Opifex</i>. Results show <i>Culex asteliae</i> to be a valid species but <i>Cx. rotoruae</i> is not necessarily so. The <i>Aedes</i> species appears to be closely related to <i>Ae. subalbirostris</i>. The introduced <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus</i> was clearly shown to be related <i>to Cx. pipiens</i>; however, the endemic <i>Cx. pervigilans</i> was not. No evidence of population variation based on geographic location was detected.