The dominant Anopheles vectors of human malaria in the Asia-Pacific region: occurrence data, distribution maps and bionomic précis

Abstract

BackgroundThe final article in a series of three publications examining the global distribution of 41 dominant vector species (DVS) of malaria is presented here. The first publication examined the DVS from the Americas, with the second covering those species present in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Here we discuss the 19 DVS of the Asian-Pacific region. This region experiences a high diversity of vector species, many occurring sympatrically, which, combined with the occurrence of a high number of species complexes and suspected species complexes, and behavioural plasticity of many of these major vectors, adds a level of entomological complexity not comparable elsewhere globally. To try and untangle the intricacy of the vectors of this region and to increase the effectiveness of vector control interventions, an understanding of the contemporary distribution of each species, combined with a synthesis of the current knowledge of their behaviour and ecology is needed.ResultsExpert opinion (EO) range maps, created with the most up-to-date expert knowledge of each DVS distribution, were combined with a contemporary database of occurrence data and a suite of open access, environmental and climatic variables. Using the Boosted Regression Tree (BRT) modelling method, distribution maps of each DVS were produced. The occurrence data were abstracted from the formal, published literature, plus other relevant sources, resulting in the collation of DVS occurrence at 10116 locations across 31 countries, of which 8853 were successfully geo-referenced and 7430 were resolved to spatial areas that could be included in the BRT model. A detailed summary of the information on the bionomics of each species and species complex is also presented.ConclusionsThis article concludes a project aimed to establish the contemporary global distribution of the DVS of malaria. The three articles produced are intended as a detailed reference for scientists continuing research into the aspects of taxonomy, biology and ecology relevant to species-specific vector control. This research is particularly relevant to help unravel the complicated taxonomic status, ecology and epidemiology of the vectors of the Asia-Pacific region. All the occurrence data, predictive maps and EO-shape files generated during the production of these publications will be made available in the public domain. We hope that this will encourage data sharing to improve future iterations of the distribution maps.

Selective sweep suggests transcriptional regulation may underlie Plasmodium vivax resilience to malaria control measures in Cambodia

“…In P. vivax, a strong New World vs. Old World divide correlates with genetic variation in pvs47, the ortholog of pfs47, which has been associated with differential infectivity in different mosquito species (63,64). However, both Anopheles dirus s.s. and Anopheles minimus s.s., the main malaria vectors in Cambodia, are adept at transmitting both P. falciparum and P. vivax (65,66). Therefore we do not think that the species-specific differences observed in population structure and signatures of selection are attributable solely to unmeasured mosquito factors.…”

False positivity of circumsporozoite protein (CSP)–ELISA in zoophilic anophelines in Bangladesh

“…peditaeniatus; this is the first time that these species were reported as being positive for Plasmodium in Bangladesh. These species are zoophilic and prefer to feed on bovine blood (Bashar et al, 2012;Ifteara et al, 1998;Sinka et al, 2011); they are considered to be nonvectors on the Indian subcontinent (Rao, 1984). In laboratory, Anopheles hyrcanus group and An.…”

Behavioral Responses of Mosquitoes to Insecticides

“…Dengue vector has proven extremely resilient to control measures because of its close association and exploitation of domestic and peridomestic human settings (Reiter & Gubler, 1997). On the other hand, malaria vectors display a more diverse array of host seeking behaviors and preference, biting patterns and larval breeding habitats (Pates & Curtis, 2005;Sinka et al, 2011). Despite decades of extensive research, efficacious and commercially viable vaccines for these 2 important vector-borne diseases are not yet available.…”