We use this species to investigate the question of how morphological change is generated during development. Genetically, the morphological diversity is located in a single locus, termed H, which we attempt to clone and characterise at the molecular level. Diversity of wing patterns in P. dardanus. The second and fourth row show different colour morphs of P. dardanus, the first and third row show unpalatable models. Many more colour morphs are known to occur throughout Africa, and up to six different female forms co-occur in a single population.
All males are monomorphic.
Coevolution of insects and parasites . To address this aspect we study the interactions of Anopheles mosquitoes and Plasmodium parasites, the agent of malignant malaria. We are investigating this phenomenon by analysing the population structure of P. falciparum in multiple vector areas in Tanzania. We are able to amplify microsatellite markers in the oocyste stage isolated from the midgut of the mosquito. GeneScan results of microsatellite amplifications from single oocysts obtained from different mosquito midguts.