Phylogenetic analysis and molecular identification tools for identifying the Ochlerotatus punctor species complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in Manitoba. Ochlerotatus

Accurate identification of pathogens and vectors is essential in epidemiological studies of mosquito-borne pathogens. However, the members of communis and punctor complexes are difficult to distinguish because some diagnostic morphological characters overlap in sympatric areas. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the efficacy of first intron of RPS12 to facilitate identification of the members of these two complexes in North America.