Project description:Despite dramatic reductions in malaria cases in the catchment area of Macha Hospital, Choma District, Southern Province in Zambia, prevalence has remained near 1-2% by RDT for the past several years. To investigate residual malaria transmission in the area, this study focuses on the relative abundance, foraging behavior, and phylogenetic relationships of Anopheles squamosus specimens. In 2011, higher than expected rates of anthropophily were observed among "zoophilic" An. squamosus, a species that had sporadically been found to contain Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites. The importance of An. squamosus in the region was reaffirmed in 2016 when P. falciparum sporozoites were detected in numerous An. squamosus specimens. This study analyzed Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light trap collections of adult mosquitoes from two collection schemes: one performed as part of a reactive-test-and-treat program and the second performed along a geographical transect. Morphological identification, molecular verification of anopheline species, and blood meal source were determined on individual samples. Data from these collections supported earlier studies demonstrating An. squamosus to be primarily exophagic and zoophilic, allowing them to evade current control measures. The phylogenetic relationships generated from the specimens in this study illustrate the existence of well supported clade structure among An. squamosus specimens, which further emphasizes the importance of molecular identification of vectors. The primarily exophagic behavior of An. squamosus in these collections also highlights that indoor vector control strategies will not be sufficient for elimination of malaria in southern Zambia.

| S-EPMC7915044 | biostudies-literature

A Comprehensive Review: Biology of <i>Anopheles squamosus</i>, an Understudied Malaria Vector in Africa.

Project description:With ongoing global efforts to eliminate malaria, several countries have entered a pre-elimination stage, in which populations of the primary mosquito vector are reduced and the rates of malaria transmission are low. Efforts to eliminate malaria have changed the dynamics of disease transmission, causing a shift in anopheline community composition in some regions. One of the most abundant species of Anopheles found in pre-elimination areas, such as southern Africa, is Anopheles squamosus (Theobald, 1901; Diptera: Culicidae). Although An. squamosus has been documented across the African continent, limited information is available about its biology. Knowing what, when, and where the malaria vector bites humans can help develop effective malaria control strategies. The aim of this review is to compile the information available on An. squamosus's biology, ecology, distribution, behavior, and potential role in disease transmission. The review of current literature suggested that An. squamosus is abundant throughout the African continent. Studies indicate that this species occupies the same range and exhibits similar behaviors to primary malaria vectors in southern and eastern African countries, like Zambia. In conclusion, An. squamosus continues to be an understudied species that has circumvented disease control measures and further studies are needed to develop effective control strategies.

| S-EPMC11855103 | biostudies-literature

idAnoSqua

Project description:Anopheles squamosus, genomic and transcriptomic data

| PRJEB83526 | ENA

Project description:Complete mitogenome sequence of Anopheles squamosus from Macha, Zambia

| PRJNA896235 | ENA