NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
39
The markings on the wings, palpi, and hind legs of this mosquito are
shown in the figure (Fig. 17).
In the fore legs there are apical white bands to the femora, tibiæ and tarsi
except the fourth tarsus, the joint between this and the fifth tarsus being black.
At the joints of the other legs, there are apical white bands.
Near the apex of the femur of each middle leg is a large white patch placed
on one side and not forming a complete ring round the femur. This white patch
is a useful character in identification.
Characters of the larva (Fig. 18).—The median frontal hairs are slightly
branched, the external frontal hairs are much branched so as to form a small
tuft in front of the whorl-organs or shaving brushes.
There is no branching hair on the antenna as in the larvæ of Group II.
The palmate hairs and the head pattern are of the shape and character
shown in the figure.
Fig. 18.—Larval characters of A. Fuliginosus.
Habitat and observations.— A widely distributed species in India. It
occurs in Calcutta, and many places in the plains of Bengal, in Kurseong (at an
elevation of 5,000 feet), in the Punjab (Lahore, etc.), in Madras and several
places on the East Coast, in the Central Provinces (Nagpur, etc.), in Travancore
(Southern India), in the Berars (Ellichpur) and in the Goa Province.
Experimentally we have shown that the parasites of Quartan, Tertian and
malignant Tertian malaria will develop in this mosquito. We have not, however,
found it infected under natural conditions.
Nagpur aad in Madras we found it breeding in the large natural tanks
with grass and weed at the edges. In other places we have found its larvæ
along with the larvæ of A. Nigerrimus in shady weed-grown pools.
40
2. A. Jamesii (Theobald) and its allied species.
Fig. 19.—Palpi and wing of A. Jamesii (Theobald).
Apparently several species of anopheles which correspond more or less with
Mr. Theobald's original description of this mosquito occur in India, and it is
doubtful whether they should be regarded as distinct species or as varieties. The
main characters of the species which I regard as most nearly corresponding
to Mr. Theobald's description are shown in the figure above (Fig. 19). It
differs from A. Fuliginosus chiefly in the fact that the femora and tibiæ of the
legs are brilliantly speckled with white scaled spots in addition to the banding at
the joints.
As in A. Fuliginosus the last 3¼ hind tarsal segments are pure white. The
first tarsal segment of the fore leg has an indistinct median band.
The differences in wing markings between this species and A. Fuliginosus
are shown in the drawings.
Characters of the larva.—Both the median and external frontal hairs are
branched in the same manner as is shown under the figure of the larvæ of
A. Theobaldi (Fig. 21), but somewhat more thickly than in that species.
There is a pair of palmate hairs on each segment of the abdomen from
the first to the seventh, and a very rudimentary pair on the thorax. The shape of
the leaflets is that shown under the figure of A. Jamesii allied species
I (Fig. 20).
Habitat and observations.—This is not a common species in India, and the
majority of specimens we have obtained have been reared from larvæ. We
found it first at Nagpur (Central Provinces), but this or its allied species have
41
been found in the Berars (Ellichpur) and in other parts of India, and the original
specimen from which Mr. Theobald's description was taken was sent from
Quilon (Southern India).
2a. A. Jamesii, allied species I.*
Under this name I refer to a very distinct species which I found at Nagpur
(Central Provinces). It is possibly the same species which Colonel Giles
describes under the name A. Maculipalpis, an African species.
It differs from the mosquito above described as A. Jamesii in the following
particulars :—
(I) It has two equal broad white bands and one narrow one on the palpi,
instead of one broad and two narrow bands as in A. Jamesii.
(2) The palpi are brilliantly speckled with white scales in addition to the
white bands.
(3) The wing markings differ in certain minor particulars.
(4) The last 3¼ hind tarsal segments are pure white as in A. Jamesii, but
the legs are much more brilliantly speckled with white spots than
in that species, and the markings at some of the joints of the fore
and mid legs differ from the markings in that species.
Characters of the larva (Fig. 20).—The median and external frontal
hairs are more thickly branched than in the larva of A. Jamesii, and the branches
of the external frontal hairs are arranged like the veins of a leaf (see figure).
In addition to a pair of palmate hairs on each abdominal segment it possesses
a very prominent pair on the thorax. This pair is absent, or very rudimentary,
in the larva of A. Jamesii.
Fig. 20.—Larval characters of A. Jamesii, allied species I (= A. Maculipalpis, Giles).
* This is A. Maculipalpis (Giles).
42
Habitat and observations.—Nagpur (Central Provinces), Goa, Quilon.
The only specimens of the mosquito which I have, were reared from larvæ
found along with those of A. Jamesii and A. Fuliginosus.*
2b. A. Jamesii, allied species 2.
One specimen of a very distinct species was found by Dr. Stephens at
Nagpur, and although we have not obtained its larvæ the characters of the
adult are sufficiently distinct for it to be regarded as a new species.
Its main characteristics are as follow :-
(1) The palpi are marked with three narrow white bands, the terminal of
which is some distance below the tip, so that the tips of the palpi
are black. The base of the palpi is densly black scaled.
(2) In the fore leg there are no white bands at the apices of the femur
and tibia, but there is a small white band at the apex of each
tarsal segment. In the middle leg there are no white bands at
any joints. In the hind leg there is a faint white spot at the apex
of the tibia, and a white spot at the apices of the first and second
tarsal . segments.
The last 2⅔ tarsal segments of the hind leg are pure white.
(3) There is no speckling of the legs or palpi.
2C. A. Jamesii, allied species 3.
Under the title of A. Jamesii (Theobald), Colonel Giles describes a species
with speckled legs and palpi, but of which only the last two hind tarsal segments
and the apex of third are pure white. We have not, however, seen this species.
3. A. Theobaldi (Giles).
This is a distinct and not very uncommon species which was first described
by Captain Glen-Liston, I.M.S., from Ellichpur in the Berars. The palpi have
two equal broad bands near the apex and one narrow one near the base. The
tips of the palpi are white.
The wing markings resemble those of A. Jamesii except in some of the
smaller spots.
The legs are brilliantly speckled with white spots.
The chief distinguishing characters lie in the markings of the hind legs
(see Fig. 25). The last two hind tarsal segments and the apex of the third are
pure white. Then comes a black band across the middle of the third tarsal
segment, and above this a broad white band which involves the base of the
third tarsal segment, the joint, and the apex of the second tarsal segment.
Characters of the larva (Fig. 21).—The frontal hairs are slightly
M Aitken has recently sent me several specimens of this species from Goa.
43
branched or frayed. There are palmate hairs on the abdominal segments and a
rudimentary pair on the thorax. The shape of each leaflet is characteristic and
the terminal filaments are very short and blunt.
The head pattern is shown in the figure.
Fig. 21.—Larval characters of A. Theobaldi.
Habitat and observations.—The Berars (Ellichpur), the Central Provinces
(Nagpur), the Punjab (Lahore), the Jeypur State. Experimentally we have
proved that the human malaria parasites develop readily in this species.
4. A. Lindesayii (Giles).
This is a rare species which apparently only occurs at a considerable
elevation.
It is a small black mosquito easily identified by the following characters :—
The palpi are unbanded.
The wings have the veins black scaled almost throughout except for a
large white spot near the apex involving the costa, the first, second,
and the tip of the third longitudinal veins.
On some of the other veins there are minute white interruptions.
The legs are uniformly black except for a beautiful broad white band on
femora of the hind legs—a very distinctive character.
Characters of the larva.—I have not examined the larva of this species.
Dr. Christophers states that the antennæ are provided with a small rudimentary
branched hair somewhat like, but very much smaller than, the branched hair on
the antennæ of A. Barbirostris and A. Nigerrimus. The frontal hairs are
simple and unbranched.
The palmate hairs are large and the terminal filament is long. There are
no thoracic palmate hairs.
G 2
44
• Habitat and observations.—A few specimens of this species were obtained
at Reneghat (Bengal) at an elevation of about 4,000 feet, It has been recorded
by Colonel Giles as occurring at Bakloh (4,585 feet) in the Punjab and in Naini
Tal (6,400 feet).
We found it breeding in natural pools along with A. Maculata.
.
GROUP IV.
•
I. A. Rossii (Giles).
2. A. Stephensii, sp. n., re-named A. Metaboles by Mr. Theobald.
3. A. Macuiata (Theobald).
Group characteristics.—The adults of this group are light brown in colour
and of moderate size, with dark brown or black spots on the light-coloured wings.
The tarsal joints are banded.
The larvæ are characterised by the fact that the frontal hairs are simple
and unbranched, and that there are no palmate hairs on the thorax.
The eggs have a very broad upper surface and the lateral floats touch the
margin of this surface.
In habits the members of this group are essentially " domestic " mosquitoes
(especially A. Rossii and A. Stephensii). Neither A. Rossii nor A. Stephensii are
ever found at any distance from houses, and A. Rossii is usually found breeding
in some shallow muddy pool or puddle among native huts. At Mian Mir
A. Stephensii was found breeding exclusively in the tins and gumlahs kept in the
lines of the native troops. In Calcutta I found it breeding along with A. Rossii.
A. Maculata may be found further from houses, but it is also I think essentially
a domestic mosquito, and in China, where I found it breeding in the pools and
puddles on the granite soil of Kowloon, it is common in the houses.
I. A. Rossii (Giles).
Fig. 22.—Palpi and wing of A. Rossii.
This is almost certainly the commonest species in India.
The palpi are marked with one broad and two narrow white bands. The
tips of the palpi are white.
The tarsal joints of all the legs are banded with yellowish white bands.
45
The wing markings are shown in the figure. The large T-shaped middle
spot on the costa is characteristic, but this and the other wing spots vary
considerably.
Characters of the larva (Fig. 7, page 24).—Both the external and median
frontal hairs are simple and unbranched.
Palmate hairs are present from the second to the seventh abdominal
segments. The terminal filament of each leaflet is very long (the same length
or longer than the body of the leaflet). The head pattern is constant and
characteristic.
Habitat and observations.—It is common throughout India, and we have
found it at elevations above 5,000 feet. Its breeding place is usually a muddy
pool or shallow tank among native huts, and after the rains both larvæ and
adults are usually present in very large numbers. In the Punjab (Lahore, Mian
Mir), before the rains begin it is practically absent, owing probably to the fact
that there are no suitable breeding places, for it will not breed in the irrigation
canals as A. Culicifacies does. In October and November enormous numbers
can be caught in native huts.
We have occasionally found its larvæ in very foul water, and at Ennur
near Madras, I found it breeding readily in water containing 2 . 8 per cent. of salt.
In the Madras Presidency, where suitable breeding places are present
throughout the year, it has no special seasonal prevalence. In that Presidency it
breeds largely in the irrigated rice fields.
Experimentally we have proved that the three species of the human malaria
parasites will develop in this mosquito, but although we have examined between
seven and eight hundred individuals caught in houses in different parts of India,
we have never yet found it infected in nature.
2. A. Stephensii, sp. n.
Fig. 23.—Palpi and wing of A. Stephensii.
This mosquito has been re-named A. Metaboles by Mr. Theobald. It
had, however, been previously described under the above name by Captain
46
Glen-Liston, I.M.S. (Indian Medical Gazette, November 1901), so that the
name A. Metaboles must be regarded as a synonym.
The palpi are marked with two broad and one narrow band, and with a few
white speckles between the bands.
The legs are marked with white bands at the tarsal joints as in A. Rossii,
but they are in addition brilliantly speckled with white spots. The wing mark-
ings are shown in the figure, but as in A. Rossii, they vary considerably.
Characters of the larva (Fig. 24).—The frontal hairs are simple and
unbranched. The palmate hairs are present from the first to the seventh
abdominal segments. The filaments of the leaflets are shorter than those of
A. Rossii, and this character and the complete absence of any head pattern in the
larva of this species, serve to distinguish it.
F i g . 2 4 . — L a r v a l c h a r a c t e r s o f
A . S t e p h e n s i i .
Habitat and observations.—I first found this species along with A. Rossii
in the native huts in Calcutta. In Mian Mir (Punjab) we found it in the barracks
of the native troops, and here it was breeding exclusively in the gumlahs of water
which are kept in the lines in case of fire. In Madras City I found it in the
native houses. Here it was breeding exclusively in the wells which, since the
introduction of a water-pipe supply, have been for the most part unused.
It occurs also at Ellichpur in the Berars and in the Central Provinces
(Nagpur).
Experimentally we have proved that the human malaria parasites can
develop in this species.
47
3. A. Maculata (Theobald).
Fig.25.—I.Hind leg of A. Theobaldi (Giles).
2. Hind leg of A. Maculata.
3. Wing of A. Maculata.
This species bears some resemblance to the following mosquitoes: A Fa m e s i i
(Theobald), A. Stephensii and A. Theobaldi. An examination of the markings of
the hind legs will, however, serve to distinguish between them.
In A. Maculata only the last (fifth) tarsal segment of the hind leg is pure
white.
In A. Stephensii none of the tarsal segments of the hind leg are white.
In A. Theobaldi the last two (fourth and fifth) and the apex of the third
tarsal segments of the hind leg are white.
In A. Famesii the last three (third, fourth and fifth) and the apex of the
second tarsal segments of the hind leg are pure white.
The legs of A. Maculata are speckled with white and there are white
bands at the tarsal joints as in the species above mentioned.
The wing markings are shown in the figure.
Characters of the larva.—The frontal hairs are simple and unbranched.
The palmate hairs are borne by the second to the seventh segments.
The terminal filaments of the leaflets are very short.
Habitat and observations.—This species was first found by us in the Duars.
48
It was also present at Kurseong (5,000 feet). At Sam Sing in the Duars it
was breeding in clear pools on the rice fields.
In Lahore (Punjab) I found it breeding in a pool near one of the irrigation
canals in March, and some of the larvæ hatched out in that month. During the
hot weather of April and May it disappeared. It occurs also in the Jeypur
State (hill districts). In the Duars we were not able to catch a sufficient
number to ascertain whether it was a carrier of malaria. None of the specimens
we dissected were infected.
This species also occurs in Hong Kong.
GROUP V.
Species which cannot be classed with the above groups:—
1. A. Pulcherrimus, sp. n. | 2. A. Turkhudi (Liston).
1. A. Pulcherrimus, sp. n.
Fig. 26.—Palpi and wing of A. Pulcherrimus.
This is a very beautiful species which we found first in the barracks of the
native troops at Mian Mir.
The palpi are marked with four white bands, two equal ones near the tip
and two others nearer the base. The tips of the palpi are white.
In the hind legs the last 3¾ hind tarsal segments are pure white. There
are also apical white bands to the first tarsal segment and to the tibia and
femur.
In the mid leg there are apical white bands on the tibia, and on all the
tarsal segments except the fourth; that is, the last tarsal joint has no band. The
femur has a few white scales at the apex and above these a white band. The
rest of the femur is brilliantly spotted with black and white scales.
In the fore leg the femur and tibia are brilliantly speckled with black and
white scales, and there are apical white bands at the tarsal joints except the
last.
The wings are very beautifully spotted with white and black scaled areas,
49
and there is a white interruption of the wing fringe opposite each longitudinal
vein.
The abdomen is densely scaled with black and white scales which form
lateral tufts on the hinder border of each segment.
The eggs are of the same type as those of A. Rossii.
The larvæ have the external pair of frontal hairs branched.
The palmate hairs are present from the second to the seventh abdominal
segments and the terminal filaments of the leaflets are long.
Habitat and observations.—This is a somewhat rare species. It occurs in
the Punjab (Mian Mir, Ferozepore, etc.).
In Mian Mir we occasionally found it in the houses in very small numbers
and there it was breeding in an overflow pool of an irrigation canal (September).
2. A. Turkhudi (Liston).
Fig, 27.—Wing of A. Turkhudi.
The species was first recorded and described by Captain Glen-Liston,
I.M.S., in Ellichpur in the Berars.*
The palpi are marked with three narrow white bands. The tips of the
palpi are black. This character serves to distinguish it from all the other lighter
coloured Indian anopheles.
The legs are dark brown with indistinct yellowish apical spots on the tibiæ
and femora and on all but the last tarsal joints.
The wing markings are shown in the figure.
Characters of the larva and eggs (Fig. 28).—The eggs of this species
are very peculiar in that the lateral floats are exceedingly rudimentary and
sometimes can scarcely be made out at all. According to Dr. Christophers the
eggs sometimes sink in water from this cause.
The larvae also are peculiar, in that there are as a rule no palmate hairs (or
only very rudimentary ones) on the first three abdominal segments, these hairs
being borne only by the fourth to the seventh segments.
For this reason the larvae rest at the surface in an oblique attitude more or
less like the larvae of culex mosquitoes.
The shape of the palmate hairs is shown in the figure. In addition to the
* Indian Medical Gazette December 1901.
so
two pairs of unbranched frontal hairs a third pair of simple hairs projects over
the mouth parts behind and between these.
Fig. 28.—Larval characters of A. Turkhudi.
Habitat and observations.—The Berars (Ellichpur), the Central Provinces
(Nagpur), Kashmir.
In respect to the structure of the eggs and larvae this mosquito would seem
to be intermediate between the genus culex and that of anopheles.
We have proved, however, that under experimental conditions, the human
malaria parasites will develop in this species, as in all the other anopheles with
which we have experimented.
The above notes include all the Indian species, which I regard as distinct,
that we have met with. Were all the species which have been recorded as new
species to be included, the list might be increased, but our desire has been as
far as possible to reduce rather than to multiply the number of species, and it is
interesting to note that already several species which were at first described by
Mr. Theobald as distinct are now regarded by him to be identical. The
question whether the well known African species A. Funestus is the same as the
mosquito I have noted above under the name A. Fluviatilis(=A. Christophersi,
Theobald) is an imp ortant and very interesting one, which, I believe, will be
answered in the affirmative. At the present time Mr. Theobald, I believe, also
inclines to this view, but the question cannot be finally settled until the eggs and
larvæ of A. Funestus are described and compared with those of A. Fluviatilis.
In consequence of the difficulty which is usually found in the identification
of the different species of Indian anopheles, I append the following table which
51
has been drawn up with the help of Captain Glen-Liston, I.M.S. Its main
features are based on the palp markings which, although they may occasionally
vary slightly, are sufficiently constant to afford a basis of classification for the
purposes of identification.
TABLE OF THE INDIAN SPECIES OF ANOPHELES.
A.—Palpi unbanded
—
A. Lindesayii (Giles) ..
.
The wing has one large white spot
near the apex.
A. Barbirostris (Van der Wulp) .
A very large species with black
densely scaled palpi.
A. Gigas (Giles) .
A hill species.
B.—Palpi with four white band s —
A. Sinensis (Wiedmann) and its allied
species A Nigerrimus (Giles).
A. Pulcherrimus .
.
.
The last 3¾ segments of the hind
tarsi are pure white.
C.—Palpi with three white bands
—
A .— The terminal white band includes the tips of the palpi which are therefore white .
A. Fuliginosus (Giles) .
Distinguished from the three follow-
ing species by the fact that
though the tarsi are banded the
legs are not speckled with white
dots in addition.
One or more of the
terminal
s e g m e n t s o f t h e h i n d l e g s a r
e pure white.
A. famesii and its allied
species (including
A. Maculipalpis ).
The last 3¼ hind tarsal segments
are pure white. Legs with white
speckling.
A. Theobaldi (Giles) .
The last 2¼ hind tarsal segments
only are pure white.
A. Maculata (Theobald)
The last 1¼ hind tarsal segments
only are pure white.
Legs uniformly
coloured without
bands or white
segments
1. A . Fluviatilis.
For differences, see text.
= A. Christophersi (Theobald).
=
A
.
L i s t o m i
.
? = A . Funestus (Giles).
2. A . feyporiensis.
3. A . Culicifacies (Giles).
4. A . Immaculata .
. Wings unspotted.
The tärsal joints are
banded but there
are no terminal
white segments to
hind legs.
1. A. Rossii Giles).
.
Legs are not speckled.
2. A . Stephensii
.
Legs are speckled in addition to the
tarsal bands.
(= A . Metabolis (Theo-
bald).
B.— The tips of the palpi are black.
1 .
A . T u r k h u d i
( L i s t o n ) .
2. One of the species allied to A . famesii (see text).
H
2