Biomedical subjects

W W Wirth

Publications and source records attributed to W W Wirth.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Culicoides boydi (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae): a potential vector of hemorrhagic disease viruses to desert bighorn sheep in southern California.

Culicoides boydi new species is described from Riverside County, CA. A taxonomic key, table of numerical characters, and female wing photographs are presented to distinguish it from the three other species of the Culicoides pusillus species group of the subgenus Avaritia. Brief notes are presented on its biology and distribution and suspected vector potential in the transmission of bluetongue virus to desert bighorn sheep in California.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

The current taxonomic status of the Culicoides vectors of bluetongue viruses.

In the regions where bluetongue (BT) viruses are known to occur the taxomonic literature is generally adequate for confident identification of the commoner species that are the most likely vectors. Unfortunately in each region there are difficult taxonomic problems in the accurate determination of some proven or potential vectors. These problems involve the so-called imicola and obsoletus groups of the subgenus Avaritia, the variipennis complex in the subgenus Monoculicoides and the schultzei group of the ill-defined subgenus Oecacta. In the imicola and schultzei groups sophisticated taxonomic studies now in progress have been successful in finding useful morphological as well as biological characters for recognition of the vector species. In the variipennis complex morphologically distinct eastern and western populations can be recognized, but their characteristics with respect to ease of colonization and ability to transmit BT virus (BTV) are not yet well known. The taxonomic status of the subspecies of variipennis known to breed in saline and alkaline habitats is still confused and badly in need of detailed study.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

The taxonomic complex, Culicoides variipennis.

The morphological and biological characteristics of the 5 subspecies of Culicoides variipennis as proposed by Wirth and Jones are reviewed in the light of research performed since 1957. Proposals have been made to recognize the eastern and western populations as distinct species; others prefer to consider the population as 1 species with extensive and complex variation resulting from the interplay of ecological and genetic factors. The authors recommend the use of the term "variipennis complex" rather than a haphazard selection of 1 of the 5 names in reporting the results of research on this insect, until such time as the necessary biosystematic studies have been made to determine the genetic nature of the population structure over the entire geographic range of the species. If it is considered desirable to recognize the western form as a distinct entity, reasons are given for preference to the name sonorensis rather than occidentalis. The use of gas chromatography to study population differences in the makeup of cuticular paraffins is suggested as a promising new biochemical approach to the study of the genetic and physiological differences between populations of variipennis.

Animals↗

PubMed1978