Genetical investigations on zoophilic and exophilic Anopheles arabiensis from Antananarivo area (Madagascar)

Abstract

The presence of markedly zoophilic and exophilic Anopheles arabiensis at Alasora, near Antananarivo, Madagascar, is confirmed. This population of An. arabiensis appears clearly different in its feeding and resting behaviour when compared to those from Continental Africa, which, especially in West Africa, show rather high degrees of anthropophily and endophily. Genetical observations were carried out on material from Alasora including polytene chromosome studies, multilocus genetic analysis and crossing experiments with a West African strain of An. arabiensis. The results support the hypothesis of a conspecific status of An. arabiensis from Madagascar and Continental Africa.