The polytene chromosomes of Simulium furculatum (Shewell) (Diptera: Simuliidae)
To test whether Simulium furculatum (Shewell) belongs to the Simulium vernum (Macquart) species-group, a comparison was made of the polytene chromosomes of S. furculatum and the S. vernum "Knebworth" standard. Only two chromosome arms (of six) could be completely analysed. It is argued that S. furculatum does not belong to the S. vernum species-group. A complex sex-chromosome system (X1, X2, Y1) is found in both eastern and western Canada. Phylogenetically, the single Y chromosome is intermediate between the two X chromosomes. Intraspecific inversion polymorphisms, which serve to differentiate eastern from western populations, are also identified. Only one sibling is indicated.Key words: black flies, Simulium furculatum, Simulium vernum, cytotaxonomy, polytene chromosomes, sex chromosomes.