Abstract
The molecular characterization of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes in rice agroecosystems in Anambra State was studied from January to December 2020. The study was carried out in rice farms randomly selected from four local government areas in Anambra State. Mosquito larvae were collected with a WHO (350ml) standard dipper at the sampling point of each of the selected rice farms twice every month. The larval samples were taken to the insectary of the National Arbovirus and Vectors Research Centre (NAVRC) to be reared into adults. The molecular characterization of sibling species of Anopheles gambiae complex was accomplished with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A total of 289 An. gambiae complex mosquitoes were subjected to PCR and identified. The species were identified as An. gambiae s.s., 144 (49.8%) and An. coluzzii. 145 (50.1%). These observations indicated that malaria transmission in the Anambra state is mainly carried out by the Anopheles sibling species. This enhances, sustains, and extends the malaria disease transmission in this geographical area.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adeleke MA, Adeyemi JA, Fassai KA, Oforka LC, Adeogun AO, Olatunde GO (2018) Molecular characterization of and insecticides susceptibility status of Anopheles gambiae complex (Giles 1902) in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Nigeria J Entomol 34:69–76
Amusa TA, Igwe KC, Oti GO (2020) Environmental risks management practices among rice farmers in rice producing areas of Imo State, Nigeria. J Sustain Agric Environ 18(1):101–121. www.mouau.edu.ng. Accessed 10 Jun 2019
Caputo B, Pichler V, Bottà G, De Marco C, Hubbart C, Perugini E, della Torre A (2021) Novel genotyping approaches to easily detect genomic admixture between the major Afrotropical malaria vector species, Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae. Mol Ecol Resour 21(5):1504–1516. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13359
Chukwuekezie O, Nwosu E, Nwangwu U, Dogunro F, Onwude C, Agashi N, Gnanguenon V (2020) Resistance status of Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) to four commonly used insecticides for malaria vector control in South-East Nigeria. Parasit Vectors 13(1):1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/S13071-020-04027-Z
Coetzee M (2020) Key to the females of Afrotropical Anopheles mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Malar J 19:70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-020-3144-9
Coetzee M, Hunt RH, Wilkerson R, Della Torre A, Coulibaly MB, Besansky NJ (2013) Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles amharicus, new members of the Anopheles gambiae complex. Zootaxa 3619:246–274 (PMID: 26131476)
Cornel A, Lee Y, Fryxell RT, Siefert S, Nieman C, Lanzaro G (2012) Culex pipiens sensu lato in California: a complex within a complex? J Am Mosq Control Assoc 28:113–121
ECDC Technical Report (2014) Field sampling methods for mosquitoes, sandflies, biting midges and ticks. https://doi.org/10.2900/416333
Emeka A, Catherine EC, Emenike OC, Emeka NK, Okemadu OC (2021) Prevalence and intensity of malaria infection and associated risk factors in Anambra State, Nigeria. World J Biol Pharm Health Sci 7(3):30–45. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2021.7.3.0094
Fredrick GK, Anne MA, John BK, Enock M, Anne K, Anges Y, Ambrose WO (2016) Molecular identification of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto Giles (formerly Anopheles gambiae Savannah Form) in Kamuli District, Uganda. Afr J Biotechnol 15(39):2124–2131. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajb2016.15444
Gillies MT, Coetzee M (1987) A supplement to the Anophelinae of Africa South of the Sahara. Publ S Afr Inst Med Res 55:1–143
Higa Y, Tomas T, Tsuda Y, Miyagi I (2010) A multiplex PCR-based molecular identification of five morphologically related, medically important subgenus Siegomyia mosquitoes from the Genus Aedes (Diptera: Cullicidae) found in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Jpn J Infect Dis 64:312–316
Irikannu KC, Onyido AE, Umeanaeto PU, Onwube O, Ogaraku JC, Egbuche CM et al (2019) Molecular characterization and malaria transmission potential of Anopheles gambiae complex in Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria. Int J Mosq Res 6(6):96–101
Kamai N, Omoigui LO, Kamara AY (2020) Guide to rice production in Northern Nigeria. www.iita.org. Accessed 22 Dec 2022
Mwangangi JM, Shililu J, Muturi EJ, Muriu S, Jacob B, Kabiru EW, Novak RJ (2010) Anopheles larval abundance and diversity in three rice agro-village complexes Mwea irrigation scheme, central Kenya. Malar J 9(1):228. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-9-228
NMEP (2014) National malaria strategic plan 2014–2020, pp 1–113. https://www.health.gov.ng/doc/NMEP-Strategic-Plan.pdf. Accessed 2 Jul 2023
Noutcha MAE, Anumudu CI (2009) Entomological indices of Anopheles gambiae sensu lacto at a rural community in Southwestern Nigeria. J Vector Borne Dis 46:43–51
Okorie PN, Ademowo OG, Irving H, Kelly-Hope LA, Wondji CS (2015) Insecticide susceptibility of Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Med Vet Entomol 29:44–50
Oyewole IO, Awoola TS (2006) Impact of Urbanization on bionomics and distribution of malaria vectors in Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria. J Vector Borne Dis 43:172–178
Perugini E, Guelbeogo WM, Calzetta M, Manzi S, Virgillito C, Caputo B, Pichler V, Ranson H, Sagnon N, Torre AD, Pombi M (2020) Behavioral plasticity of Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles arabiensis undermines LLIN community protective effect in a Sudanese-savannah village in Burkina Faso. Parasites Vectors 13:277. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04142-x
Sasu D (2022, November 18) Nigeria: production of milled rice 2010–2022. Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1134510/production-of-milled-rice-in-nigeria/. Accessed 22 Dec 2022
Silver JB (2008) Sampling the larval population. Mosquito Ecology: Field Sampling Methods 165(4193):137–338. https://doi.org/10.1038/165378a0
Sinka ME, Bangs MJ, Manguin S, Coetzee M, Mbogo CM, Hemingway J, Patil AP, Temperley WH, Gething PW, Kabaria CW, Okara RM, Boeckel TV, Godfray HCJ, Harbach RE, Hay HI (2010) The dominant Anopheles vectors of human malaria in Africa, Europe and the Middle East: occurrence data, distribution maps and bionomic précis. Parasit Vector 3:117. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-3-117
Ukonze C, Umeh C, Ezihe CK, Ononye B, Duru V, Obiefule I (2017) Physico-chemical parameters associated with mosquito abundance in rice farms at Omor, Anambra state, Nigeria. Bioscientist 5(1):82–87. http://www.bioscientistjournal.com/pub_2017/vol5/publication_Ukonze_etal_2017.htm. Accessed 22 Dec 2022
Walker ED, Thibault AR, Thelen AP, Bullard BA, Huang J, Odiere MR, Vulule JM (2007) Identification of field caught Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles arabiensis by TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping. Malar J 6(1):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-6-23/FIGURES/3
WHO (2013) Malaria entomology and vector control. Guide for participants. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/85890/9789241505819_eng.pdf. Accessed 2 Jul 2023
Wilkins EE, Howell PI, Benedict MQ (2006) IMP PCR primers detect single nucleotide polymorphisms for Anopheles gambiae species identification, Mopti and Savanna rDNA types, and resistance to dieldrin in Anopheles arabiensis. Malar J 5(1):1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-5-125
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the members of our research team, who worked tirelessly to collect the data for this study, and their valuable feedback and support throughout the writing process. We would also like to thank Dr. C. M. Egbuche at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Anambra, Nigeria for analysing the data for this study. We would also like to thank the community heads and farm owners in Anambra State for the support and assistance they rendered to facilitate the successful completion of this study. Finally, we are grateful for the support and research facilities provided by the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Financial or proprietary interests
No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript. The authors have no financial or proprietary interests in any materials discussed in this article.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Ukonze, C., Ezihe, E., Nzeukwu, C. et al. Molecular characterization of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes in rice agroecosystems in Anambra State, Nigeria. Int J Trop Insect Sci 43, 1911–1918 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-023-01089-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-023-01089-1