Objective: To compare the sequence difference of the ribosomal DNA second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) in Anopheles minimus from Yunnan, Hainan, Guangxi of China and from Thailand.
Methods: Single mosquito's legs were digested to extract DNA; the rDNA-ITS2 region was amplified by specific primers and the PCR products were purified, sequenced and analysed.
Results: Two different kinds of ITS2 sequences, temporarily named as An. minimus A and An. minimus C, were found in this study. The length and GC contents of ITS2 region in species A and species C are 481 bp, 54.04% and 483 bp, 54.23%, respectively. Two species differed by 5.8% in the ITS2 sequences owing to 22 fixed nucleotide substitutions and indels.
Conclusion: Two cryptic species, An. minimus A and An. minimus C, were found in the research localities.