Mid-Atlantic Mosquito Keys - Update

Transcription

1 Mid-Atlantic Mosquito Keys - Update Bruce Harrison 1, Charles Sither 2, Parker Whitt 3, and Brian Byrd 1 1 Environmental Health Sciences Program Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 2 Manatee County Mosquito Control, Palmetto, FL 3 North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Raleigh, NC

2 Purpose: Why new regional keys? Darsie and Ward (2005) Comprehensive (174 species) for U.S., versus 87 named or provisional species and subspecies and 3 group/complex/hybrid categories in MAMCA area Learning curve steep for beginners Many couplets with only one character Slaff and Apperson (1989) - Contains many one character couplets - Outdated, does not include recent introductions or newly recognized species 1989: 57 species in NC 2012: 65 species level taxa now recognized in NC

3 Goals for Book with New Pictorial Keys Prepare keys (female and 4 th instar larva) for an 8-state area (PA-GA) Include newly introduced/recognized species Incorporate new/multiple characters to identify species Use new technology (vector-line graphics) to make illustrations Ultimate goal is to increase accuracy and educational utility of species identifications

4 Mid-Atlantic Region (MAMCA) Northern Species (n= 16) WV PA MD DE VA NC SC GA Subtropical Species (n= 7)

5 Methods: Morphological Studies Experience/Collections and IDs (49 years) Uses many non-traditional and new characters Examined Museum and Personal Specimens Not just review of older commonly used keys Reviewed taxonomic literature (many publications)

6 Methods: Adobe Illustrator Adobe Illustrator is a software program for the creation of vector graphics and artwork. Traditional black and white line drawings: blurred when zoomed Vector Graphics: No pixelation; remains sharp when zoomed

7 Zooming

8 Methods: Adobe Illustrator Master Images: A master image (far left) of a scutum was used to make species specific scutum drawings. Setae, alveoli, and scales were reused multiple times. Master Image Oc. fulvus pallens Ae. aegypti Oc. triseriatus

9 Parts to the Book and Keys (1) Keys to females and 4 th instar Larvae Generic key (12 genera) Keys to the individual taxa (87) plus 3 group/complex/hybrid categories Reviews of morphology for Female Larva Notes (~25) ID of larval instars (1-4) Using a dichotomous key Aedes (4) Anopheles (20) Coquillettidia (1) Culex (12) Culiseta (5) Mansonia (2) Ochlerotatus (31) Orthopodomyia (2) Psorophora (8) Toxorhynchites (2) Uranotaenia (2) Wyeomyia (1)

10 Parts to the Book and Keys (2) Couplet sequences for species Two current classification schemes for mosquitoes Sibling species and the Anopheles Systematic index in back of book for pages and illustrations referring to each species Methods (illustrations) - later Distribution records for 8 states References Numbers of figures (>730) Acknowledgements

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15 Progress Report All figures (>730) and couplets drafted and half are finished Layout prepared in Adobe InDesign Adult keys (55 pages) edited five times, includes illustrations and written couplets, plus four outside reviews and 10 Notes completed Larval keys (55 pages) edited three times; revisions and corrections in preparation for four outside reviews Notes (25+) in preparation and half completed. For outside reviews, we are sending the adult and larval keys to applied personnel and taxonomists for peer review. Eventually, the entire book will be peer reviewed before publication. Total number of pages estimated around

16 Printed Distribution Distribution Limited copies will be available based on interest Approximately 150+ pages Wiro-bound and water resistant Expected cost ($ $20.00) Electronic Distribution PDF of the keys will be made available through NCMVCA/WCU Adobe Illustrator electronic (*.ai) files will be available through a searchable database

17 Why Electronic Distribution? (KEYS) PDFs (Portable Document Files) are user friendly Many people use laptops, ipads, etc. for reviewing documents No printing overhead Updates/edits can be made continuously No need for errata or printing new editions Species distributions are dynamic State records change (e.g., due to sibling species) Invasive species are introduced

18 Why Electronic Distribution? (FILES) Every image (>730) has a unique *.ai file These files will be shared via the web With permission the files may be used by others to: Develop their own regional keys Pre-existing files may be edited to create new images to represent different species Pre-existing files may be used directly Instruction/Teaching: Adult and larval morphology (handouts, power point presentations, etc.) Develop websites for teaching

19 Acknowledgements Ken Manuel Tommy Bowen Mosquito and VBID Facility College of Health and Human Sciences Specimens Provided/Unpublished Observations: Michael Hutchinson (PA) Roxanne Connelly (FL) Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit/Smithsonian Numerous individuals who contributed specimens to the PHPM collection, which now belongs to Western Carolina Univ.

20 Thank you. Questions?

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22 Proceeds Seed money was provided by the Duke Energy Educational Funds Monies recouped from sale of printed copies will be held by NCMVCA (Duke Fund Account) These monies will be used for future educational projects (new keys, courses, etc.) at the discretion of the Board of Directors