Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 31 3-4 2002 12 15 133 137 SR Naddaf Dezfouli MA Oshaghi H Vatandoost E Djavadian Z Telmadarei M Assmar 2015 10 03 Anopheles fluviatilis complex is known to be a vector of malaria in Iran. Since mosquitoes of this species cover a wide geographical range in Iran, they might have evolved into different separated populations. Random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) assay was used to differentiate geographic populations of this species. DNA was extracted from individual mosquitoes from 8 localities in 4 south and southeast provinces and amplified in PCR reactions using 18 single primers of arbitrary nucleotide sequence. Results of RAPD-PCR showed that Kazeroun populations could simply be differentiated from other populations using a diagnostic fragment amplified with primer UBC-306. But other populations could not be differentiated either visually or by means of statistical analysis. Moreover ITS2 fragments of some selected specimens were amplified using a pair of universal primer and sequenced as a key standard for detection of putative sibling species. Sequence analysis of the ITS2 fragments revealed a very high (100%) homology among the populations. These findings are crucial in epidemiological studies concerning relatedness of geographic populations and vector movement in the region. Results of RAPD-PCR and ITS2 analysis suggest that this taxon in Iran comprises of only one species with a low genetic variation among geographic populations. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/1991 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/1991/1972