Adaptive introgression can provide novel genetic variation to fuel rapid evolutionary responses, though it may be counterbalanced by potential for detrimental disruption of the recipient genomic background. We examine the extent and impact of recent introgression of a strongly selected insecticide-resistance mutation (Vgsc-1014F) located within one of two exceptionally large genomic islands of ...

Anopheles stephensi is the main urban mosquito vector of malaria in the Indian subcontinent, and belongs to the same subgenus as Anopheles gambiae, the main malaria vector in Africa. Recently the genome and proteome sets of An. gambiae have been described, as well as several protein sequences expressed in its salivary glands, some of which had their expression confirmed by amino terminal sequen...

Anopheles gambiae, the main mosquito vector of human malaria, is a challenging organism to manipulate genetically. As a consequence, reverse genetics studies in this disease vector have been largely limited to RNA interference experiments. Here, we report the targeted disruption of the immunity gene TEP1 using transgenic expression of Transcription-Activator Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), an...

Malaria control depends on mosquito susceptibility to insecticides. We tested Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes from Côte d'Ivoire for resistance and screened a subset for target site mutations. Mosquitoes were resistant to insecticides of all approved classes. Such complete resistance, which includes exceptionally strong phenotypes, presents a major threat to malaria control.

50 word max.) Gene expression in Anopheles gambiae shows a deficiency of testis expressed genes on the X chromosome associated with an excessive movement of retrogene duplication. We suggest the degeneration of sex chromosomes in this monandrous species is related to the biological and evolutionary forces of X-inactivation, dosage compensation and sexual antagonism.

Suboptimal larval habitats modulate oviposition of the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae s.s.. CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license peer-reviewed) is the author/funder. It is made available under a The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not. Abstract Selection of oviposition sites by gravid females is a critical behavioural preference in the reproductive cycle of Anopheles g...

Understanding phylogenetic relationships within species complexes of disease vectors is crucial for identifying genomic changes associated with the evolution of epidemiologically important traits. However, the high degree of genetic similarity among sibling species confounds the ability to determine phylogenetic relationships using molecular markers. The goal of this study was to infer the ance...

Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus Giles are the primary vectors of malaria in East Africa. Identification of host-location olfactory cues may increase trap sensitivity for vector control and surveillance programs. Solid-state army miniature light traps were operated near sleeping humans in huts at night without lights and augmented with the potential attractants: L-lactic acid, Limb...

We understand little about photo-preference and the molecular mechanisms governing vision-dependent behavior in vector mosquitoes. Investigations of the influence of photo-preference on adult mosquito behaviors such as endophagy and exophagy and endophily and exophily will enhance our ability to develop and deploy vector-targeted interventions and monitoring techniques. Our laboratory-based ana...

In insects, the enzyme phenoloxidase (PO; EC 1.14.18.1) forms an integral part of the cellular and humoral defence system in response to foreign organisms. This enzyme has been shown to have at least two functions. Firstly, to synthesise melanin which encapsulates the invaders and, secondly, as a recognition system for generating other components of the host defence system. In a study with Euro...