Genetics, ecology and behaviour of anophelines

Abstract

The efficiency with which mosquitoes transmit malaria is related to how closely associated they are with the human host. For example, the relative vectorial capacity of two species may be determined by differences in their degree of preference for human blood or in their degree of preference for blood-feeding indoors versus outdoors. Species complexes, such as Anopheles gambiae sensu lato, allow us to investigate how species differences in genetics, ecology and behaviour can lead to significant differences in vectorial capacity. The potential exists for identification of behaviour-regulating genes for exploitation by novel control measures. Close correlations have been demonstrated between certain behaviours and karyotypes in the An. gambiae s.l. complex, but the physiological basis for these correlations has yet to be determined. Recent evidence from behavioural studies suggests that differences in host preference may reflect differences in the relative responsiveness to CO2 and other, more specific, host odours.