Disease Vectors of Papua New Guinea, Members of the Anopheles Punctulatus Species Complex (Diptera:Culicidae) – Molecular Diversity, Species Identification and Implications for Integrated Vector Management
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Members of the Anopheles punctulatus species complex are thought to be the predominant vectors of malaria and filariasis in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Establishing the importance of each species as a disease vector requires a thorough understanding of each species’ general ecology, biting habits, larval habitat preferences, insecticide susceptibility and capacity to obtain/propagate parasitic infections. But first, reliable species definitions and identification methods must be established. Prior this dissertation little understanding of the genetic diversity within and among these species was available. Here, by sequencing two nuclear and two mitochondrial genes I have examined species definitions and relationships for the five most common species within the group (An. punctulatus, An. koliensis, An. farauti s.s., An. hinesorum and An. farauti 4) to better characterize species diversity and differentiation within PNG.
From my analysis of these DNA sequences, An. punctulatus, An. koliensis, An. farauti s.s., An. hinesorum and An. farauti 4 are supported as genetically independent species. An. farauti s.s. and An. hinesorum, the two most common and widespread species, emerged as sister taxa but further ancestral relationships remain unclear. Phylogeographic patterns were observed suggesting geographically isolated, genetically distinct populations exist within species. Geographical features such as the Central Highlands and Bismarck Sea are possibly contributing to these observations of phylogeography. This sequence analysis enabled the development of genetic diagnostic tools that demonstrated that proposed genetic species definitions are consistently observed across the country.
By identifying these five species as genetically independent and harboring geographically distinct subpopulations, it is conceivable that each species/subpopulation might exhibit different characteristics making them more/less efficient vectors of disease. This observed independence signifies the necessity to examine characteristics (e.g. ecology, biting habits, larval habitat, insecticide susceptibility, vector capacity) of each species and subpopulation to determine their importance as a vector within a community. The molecular tools and genetic information presented here will aid future studies and may improve interventions targeting specific vector species/populations for sustainable management of malaria and filariasis in PNG. Finally, whole-genome sequencing of these mosquitoes proposes to further refine understandings of species relationships as well as evolutionary origins of the species group.
Document number: case1300368816
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1300368816
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