Giles Anopheles Gambiae is the most powerful human malaria vector in the Afrotropical Region. Thus, it is commonly termed as an African malaria mosquito. The sibling species Anopheles gambiae complex comprises eight reproductively isolated species that are almost indistinguishable morphologically: Anopheles amharicus, Anopheles arabiensis Patton 1905, Anopheles bwambae White 1985, Anopheles gambiae Giles 1902, Anopheles coluzzii Coetzee & Wikerson 2013, Anopheles melas Theobald 1903, and Anopheles merus Dönitz 1902, respectively. They are often known as collectively Anopheles gambiae sensu lato, meaning 'in the broader sense.' None of those species occur in North America.
Members of the Anopheles gambiae complex are most commonly found throughout tropical Africa, south of the Sahara desert, with Anopheles arabiensis extending across southern Arabia region. Anopheles gambiae s.s. is distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including Madagascar. Adult female Anopheles can be differentiated from other mosquito genera by the palps which are as long as their proboscis. Adult Anopheles also has a distinguishable resting position where their abdomen is raised into the air.
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Journal of Environmental Research
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Journal of Environmental Research