Mosquitoes of the Maculipennis complex in Northern Italy

Abstract

The correct identification of mosquito vectors is often hampered by the presence of morphologically indiscernible sibling species. The Maculipennis complex is one of these groups that include both malaria vectors of primary importance and species of low/negligible epidemiological relevance, of which distribution data in Italy are outdated. Our study was aimed at providing an updated distribution of Maculipennis complex in Northern Italy through the sampling and morphological/molecular identification of specimens from five regions. The most abundant species was Anopheles messeae (2032), followed by Anopheles maculipennis s.s. (418), Anopheles atroparvus (28) and Anopheles melanoon (13). Taking advantage of ITS2 barcoding, we were able to finely characterize tested mosquitoes, classifying all the Anopheles messeae specimens as Anopheles daciae, a taxon with debated rank to which we referred as species inquirenda (sp. inq.). The distribution of species was characterized by Ecological Niche Models (ENMs), fed by recorded points of presence. ENMs provided clues on the ecological preferences of the detected species, with An. daciae sp. inq. linked to stable breeding sites and An. maculipennis s.s. more associated to ephemeral breeding sites. We demonstrate that historical Anopheles malaria vectors are still present in Northern Italy.

Updated occurrence and bionomics of potential malaria vectors in Europe: a systematic review (2000–2021)

“…In the most recent papers, An. maculipennis s.s. is confirmed as occurring all over Europe, with additional findings in north Italy [ 29 , 32 , 99 ] and Finland [ 100 – 102 ]. In particular, this species has been recorded in southeastern Europe [ 88 , 103 – 106 ].…”

“…atroparvus is still reported throughout the country but particularly in the south and central areas [ 25 , 26 ], with a spatial distribution pattern overlapping previously recorded malarial transmission areas [ 27 ]. In contrast, its occurrence is now sporadic in Mediterranean regions: in Italy, it was recorded in scattered sites of northern and central Italy [ 28 – 32 ]; in France, its occurrence is reduced as compared to the 1940s and 1950s [ 33 , 34 ]. It has been suggested that one or more factors may have affected its current presence, such as changing land use, pollution, use of control methods (e.g.…”

“…messeae from Romania [ 17 ]. However, other authors consider this polymorphism to be an indicator of different forms/ecotypes that are consistent with the different geographical origins of the tested populations [ 32 , 88 , 115 – 117 ]. On the other hand, other authors have analyzed genomic differences and chromosomal inversions, especially on the X -chromosome, between An.…”

“…7 ). Its distribution ranges from Germany to Russia and to most parts of the Asian continent; it has not been reported in the Iberian Peninsula and France and is sporadically reported in southern Europe, with few records from Italy [ 29 , 31 , 32 , 88 , 99 ] and only one from Greece [ 103 ].…”

New Cytogenetic Photomap and Molecular Diagnostics for the Cryptic Species of the Malaria Mosquitoes Anopheles messeae and Anopheles daciae from Eurasia

“…messeae and An. daciae, which are still considered as cryptic species with unclear taxonomic status [ 66 ]. The application of this map for the Asian populations of An.…”