Anopheles aquasalis vs. Anopheles tarsimaculatus as the name for the brackish water anopheline of Central and South america and the Caribbean islands

Abstract

The validity of the name tarsimaculatus as used by Goeldi for the Anophelines of the sub-genus Nyssorhynchus with black ring on the fifth hind tarsi, is discussed. It is pointed out that at least three species of the Nyssorhynchus group corresponding to Goeldi’s meagre descriptions are present in the areas from which he collected his material. It is evident that the name was used by him, not for one but for several species. The mosquitoes in Belem designated as Anopheles tarsimaculatus by Galvão, Damasceno and Marques (1942), and as Anopheles emilianus by Komp (1941) are indistinguishable in morphological and physiological characteristics from Anopheles aquasalis Curry 1932. The authors are of the opinion that since tarsimaculatus was illegally proposed as an emendation of a name considered inappropriate, and was applied to mosquitoes subsequently differentiated as several distinct species, the name is not available for any Anopheline. Anopheles emilianus Komp 1941 is considered to be a synonym of Anopheles aquasalis Curry, 1932.