A taxonomic study to differentiate the species or cytotypes of the Simulium damnosum complex with particular reference to West Africa: report 2. period of May 3 to August 2, 1976

'/' "v & tp ONCHOCERCIASIS CONTROL PROGRAMME IN THE VOLTA RIVER BASIN AREA Research report TitIe of agreement: cytotypes of the to West Africa i,, --r. . : I _,,;, ,i.iK:-ri_--;l-------i___,_i ([i 2 J siP1976 I i _- -,*.5;;Bg[[ro[o __ .l r_*. _*_._r A taxonomic study tofitterentiate the species or Simulium damnosum carfplex with particular reference Institution, BiosystemaLics Research Institute through MemorialUniversity of Newfoundland Research personnel: : (research scientists and technicians) B.V. PetersonAnnelle Soponis Type of. report: Second Quarterly Report Date submitted: Sept. 15, L976 Period covered: May 3 - August 2t L976 Name and title of responsible research worker B.V. Peterson Head Diptera Section """;;Tu[;;- \. rl S igna ture Report 2. Period of MaY 3 to August 2, 1976. Ninety-five larvae of identified cytotypes of Simulium damnosum were received on May 5. The research associate examined the larvae in aIcohol, and slide-mounted representatives of the five cytotypes. Several attempts to produce keys failed because the larvae had been fixed, stained, and dissected. It was concluded that only larvae freshly preserved in alcohol could be used for morphological studies. A shipment of adult Simuliidae was received on May 19. Of these, 98 in tact females of Simulium damnosum were chosen for study. The specimens were examined in glycerine, dissected and slide-mounted. The specimens were assigned to the classes ArB, or C after Lewis andiDuke (1955). A total of 5( characters were counted or measured on each of the 98 specimens. fn the remainder of this 3 month period, the research associate analyzed the data in preparation for a written report to be presented at the meeting in Geneva, Nov. 14-19 1 1976i see copies attached (one copy for Dr. pal.). During this period the research associate continued to search the literature, which resulted in g5 additional titles.