The bionomics of Anopheles merus (Diptera: Culicidae) along the Kenyan coast

Kipyab, Pamela C; Khaemba, B. M.; Mwangangi, Joseph; Mbogo, Charles M.

doi:10.1186/1756-3305-6-37

Cited by 13 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…In Africa, Anopheles arabiensis , Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae from the Gambiae complex and Anopheles funestus from the Funestus subgroup are undoubtedly the most important vectors transmitting both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax parasites to humans [ 1 – 3 ]. Within the Gambiae complex, Anopheles melas and Anopheles merus are also considered dominant vectors (“dominant” is defined as a vector species that has been identified as the main, dominant or important vector in at least one region) whereas there is no strong evidence that other species from this complex play any role in malaria transmission [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographical distributions of African malaria vector sibling species and evidence for insecticide resistance

Wiebe

Longbottom

Gleave

et al. 2017

Malar J

134

132

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BackgroundMany of the mosquito species responsible for malaria transmission belong to a sibling complex; a taxonomic group of morphologically identical, closely related species. Sibling species often differ in several important factors that have the potential to impact malaria control, including their geographical distribution, resistance to insecticides, biting and resting locations, and host preference. The aim of this study was to define the geographical distributions of dominant malaria vector sibling species in Africa so these distributions can be coupled with data on key factors such as insecticide resistance to aid more focussed, species-selective vector control.ResultsWithin the Anopheles gambiae species complex and the Anopheles funestus subgroup, predicted geographical distributions for Anopheles coluzzii, An. gambiae (as now defined) and An. funestus (distinct from the subgroup) have been produced for the first time. Improved predicted geographical distributions for Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles melas and Anopheles merus have been generated based on records that were confirmed using molecular identification methods and a model that addresses issues of sampling bias and past changes to the environment. The data available for insecticide resistance has been evaluated and differences between sibling species are apparent although further analysis is required to elucidate trends in resistance.ConclusionsSibling species display important variability in their geographical distributions and the most important malaria vector sibling species in Africa have been mapped here for the first time. This will allow geographical occurrence data to be coupled with species-specific data on important factors for vector control including insecticide resistance. Species-specific data on insecticide resistance is available for the most important malaria vectors in Africa, namely An. arabiensis, An. coluzzii, An. gambiae and An. funestus. Future work to combine these data with the geographical distributions mapped here will allow more focussed and resource-efficient vector control and provide information to greatly improve and inform existing malaria transmission models.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-017-1734-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographical distributions of African malaria vector sibling species and evidence for insecticide resistance

Wiebe

Longbottom

Gleave

et al. 2017

Malar J

134

132

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“…is an insecticidal perennial plant of the Compositae (tribe Anthemideae). It is an outcrossing diploid (2 n = 18) (MacDonald, 1995), self-incompatible and thermophilic plant (Parlevliet, 1975). Dalmatian pyrethrum is endemic to the east Adriatic coast with wild populations found in extremely degraded habitats with shallow rocky soils.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Repetitive DNA Composition in the Natural Pesticide Producer Tanacetum cinerariifolium: Interindividual Variation of Subtelomeric Tandem Repeats

et al. 2019

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Dalmatian pyrethrum ( Tanacetum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) Sch. Bip.), a plant species endemic to the east Adriatic coast, is used worldwide for production of the organic insecticide, pyrethrin. Most studies concerning Dalmatian pyrethrum have focused on its morphological and biochemical traits relevant for breeding. However, little is known about the chromosomal evolution and genome organization of this species. Our study aims are to identify, classify, and characterize repetitive DNA in the T. cinerariifolium genome using clustering analysis of a low coverage genomic dataset. Repetitive DNA represents about 71.63% of the genome. T. cinerariifolium exhibits linked 5S and 35S rDNA configuration (L-type). FISH reveals amplification of interstitial telomeric repeats (ITRs) in T. cinerariifolium . Of the three newly identified satellite DNA families, TcSAT1 and TcSAT2 are located subterminally on most of T. cinerariifolium chromosomes, while TcSAT3 family is located intercalary within the longer arm of two chromosome pairs. FISH reveals high levels of polymorphism of the TcSAT1 and TcSAT2 sites by comparative screening of 28 individuals. TcSAT2 is more variable than TcSAT1 regarding the number and position of FISH signals. Altogether, our data highlights the dynamic nature of DNA sequences associated with subtelomeres in T. cinerariifolium and suggests that subtelomeres represent one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving regions in eukaryotic genomes.

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“…In East Africa, An. merus is sometimes considered to play a secondary role in malaria transmission [2]. However emerging evidence gathered in recent studies in Madagascar and coastal parts of Tanzania implicates An.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The physicochemical and environmental factors affecting the distribution of Anopheles merus along the Kenyan coast

et al. 2015

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BackgroundMembers of the Anopheles gambiae complex are the main transmitters of malaria. Anopheles merus is a member of the complex found along the Kenyan coast because it breeds in saline waters. An entomological study was conducted in Garithe Malindi District, to investigate the physicochemical and environmental factors affecting the distribution of An. merus.MethodsField and laboratory studies were used to investigate the breeding habitats of the subspecies. Mosquito larvae were sampled using standard dipping technique from small pockets of pools, ponds, hoof prints, road drain, wells and mangrove swamps found in Garithe. All 3rd and 4th instars of Anopheles larvae sampled were identified microscopically into species. A representative of Anopheles gambiae complex was then identified to specific sibling species using r-DNA PCR technique.The habitats were characterized based on temperature, conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, pH, size, distance to nearest house, canopy coverage, surface debris, presence of algae, emergent plants, turbidity and habitat types.ResultsA total of 159 morphologically identified late stage instar Anopheles gambiae s.l larvae were selected for r-DNA analysis by PCR. Out of these, 60.4% (n = 96) were Anopheles merus, 8.8% (n = 14) were Anopheles arabiensis, 18.2% (n = 29) were Anopheles gambiae s.s and 12.6% (n = 20) were unknown.Using paired t-test (t (121) = −3.331, P = 0.001) a significantly high proportion of An. merus was observed in all habitats compared to An. arabiensis, and An. gambiae s. s.In habitat characterization, Pearson’s correlation analysis test showed different parameters being associated with the occurrence of An. merus larvae in the different habitats sampled. Six out of the 55 correlation coefficients (10.9%) were statistically significant, suggesting non-random association between some pairs of variables. Those that had a significantly high positive correlation with An. merus included temperature, salinity, conductivity, total dissolved solids and algae.ConclusionsDifferent physicochemical parameters and environmental parameters affect the occurrence of An. merus. In this study, higher temperatures accelerate the growth of the larvae and aids in growth of micro-organisms and algae which are food sources for the larvae. Saline waters favour the growth and development of An. merus larvae; they are also able to develop in a range of saline waters. Conductivity, total dissolved solids and canopy coverage are among the important factors influencing the development and abundance of An. merus larvae in their habitats. Habitat type also influences the abundance of An. merus larvae. They mainly prefer to breed in pools and ponds, but not swamps, hoof prints and wells.

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The bionomics of Anopheles merus (Diptera: Culicidae) along the Kenyan coast

Cited by 13 publications

References 15 publications

Geographical distributions of African malaria vector sibling species and evidence for insecticide resistance

Geographical distributions of African malaria vector sibling species and evidence for insecticide resistance

The Repetitive DNA Composition in the Natural Pesticide Producer Tanacetum cinerariifolium: Interindividual Variation of Subtelomeric Tandem Repeats

The physicochemical and environmental factors affecting the distribution of Anopheles merus along the Kenyan coast

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