Identification and characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Culex theileri (Diptera: Culicidae).

Culex theileri Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae) is one of the most common mosquito species in northeastern Turkey and serves as a vector for various zoonotic diseases including West Nile virus. Although there have been some studies on the ecology of Cx. theileri, very little genetic data has been made available. We successfully sequenced 11 gene fragments from Cx. theileri specimens collected from the northeastern part of Turkey. On average, we found a Single nucleotide polymorphism every 45 bp. Transitions outnumbered transversions, at a ratio of 2:1. This is the first report of genetic polymorphisms in Cx. theileri and Single nucleotide polymorphism discovered from this study can be used to investigate population structure and gene-environmental interactions.