Molecular characterization of anopheline mosquitoes from the goat malaria‐endemic areas of Thailand

• Published in: Medical and veterinary entomology 2023-06, Vol.37 (2), p.381-395
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Anh Hoang Lan, Nugraheni, Yudhi Ratna, Nguyen, Trang Thuy, Aung, Aung, Narapakdeesakul, Duriyang, Kaewlamun, Winai, Asada, Masahito, Kaewthamasorn, Morakot
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anopheles - parasitology; anopheline mosquito; Bionomics; Culicidae; Cytochrome; Cytochrome-c oxidase; Data collection; Disease transmission; DNA barcoding; DNA, Mitochondrial; Dominant species; Female; Gene flow; Genetic analysis; Genetic diversity; Genetic structure; Geographical distribution; Goat Diseases; Goats - genetics; Humans; identification; Malaria; Malaria - epidemiology; Malaria - veterinary; Mitochondrial DNA; Mosquito Vectors - genetics; Mosquitoes; Nucleotide sequence; phylogenetics; Ribosomal DNA; Thailand; Vectors
• ISSN: 0269-283X; 1365-2915
• DOI: 10.1111/mve.12638

Despite the fact that over a 100 anopheline mosquito species have been identified as human malaria vectors, little is known about ungulate malaria vectors. Consequently, we focused on investigating the bionomics and genetic characterizations of anopheline mosquitoes in goat malaria‐endemic regions. We also attempted to screen for ungulate malaria potential vectors. A total of 1019 female anopheline mosquitoes were collected from six goat farms in four provinces of Thailand from 2020 to 2021. Mosquitoes were morphologically identified and subsequently confirmed using the mitochondrial DNA barcoding region‐cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (MtDNA‐COI), mitochondrial DNA‐cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (MtDNA‐COII), and ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (rDNA‐ITS2) sequences. The current study reveals the genetic characteristics and distribution of nine mosquito species within the Anopheles and Cellia subgenera. Four dominant species, including Anopheles peditaeniatus, Anopheles subpictus, Anopheles vagus, and Anopheles aconitus exhibited significant intraspecific gene flow within their corresponding species. Although malaria parasites were not found in 126 mosquito pools, meaning more investigation is necessary, the current study adds to the existing DNA barcoding data collection and improves the current understanding of the genetic structure and distribution of anopheline mosquito species, which could be useful for effective control of mosquito‐borne diseases. This study reveals the species composition and genetic information of anopheline mosquitoes collected from goat malaria‐endemic regions in northern and western Thailand. Anopheles and Cellia mosquitoes were found to be the most prevalent subgenera in goat farms. Gene flow occurs among geographically distant An. peditaeniatus, An. subpictus, An. vagus, and An. aconitus populations.