A population genomic unveiling of a new cryptic mosquito taxon within the malaria-transmitting Anopheles gambiae complex.

ABSTRACT: The Anopheles gambiae complex consists of multiple morphologically indistinguishable mosquito species including the most important vectors of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in sub-Saharan Africa. Nine cryptic species have been described so far within the complex. The ecological, immunological and reproductive differences among these species will critically impact population responses to disease control strategies and environmental changes. Here, we examine whole-genome sequencing data from a longitudinal study of putative A. coluzzii in western Burkina Faso. Surprisingly, many specimens are genetically divergent from A. coluzzii and all other Anopheles species and represent a new taxon, here designated Anopheles TENGRELA (AT). Population genetic analysis suggests that the crypt

SUBMITTER: Tennessen JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7858241 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature