A new species of mosquito, yet to receive an official scientific name, was recently identified along the shores of Tanzania in East Africa. The mosquito belongs to the Anopheles genus, part of the Culicidae family, specifically within the Anopheles gambiae complex—a group of species that includes the primary vectors of malaria parasites worldwide.
The discovery was published in the journal Molecular Ecology and is the result of collaboration between the University of Glasgow, the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania, and the Wellcome Sanger Genomics Research Institute in the UK. Researchers found that this mosquito is genetically distinct from known species, a finding that may have significant implications for mosquito monitoring in malaria-endemic regions and for the effectiveness of insecticide use.
Through genetic sequencing of 300 mosquitoes collected between 2012 and 2015 from four regions in northern Tanzania, the scientists identified the presence of the new species, which appears to be geographically limited to the coastal strip. Unlike other malaria mosquitoes in the region, this species seems to be more susceptible to chemical insecticides, a trait that could make it particularly important in global malaria control efforts.
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Although it has not yet been proven that this mosquito can actively transmit the malaria parasite, researchers believe it may play a role in sustaining infections during the dry season, when the activity of other species decreases. “The discovery highlights gaps in our understanding of mosquito diversity in endemic regions,” said Dr. Sophia Mwinyi from the University of Glasgow and the Ifakara Institute.
The new mosquito species within the Anopheles gambiae complex, discovered along Tanzania's coastline, is genetically distinct from other species in the complex and may have unique ecological and behavioral traits. Dr. Fredros Okumu, also part of the research team, emphasized that "genetic research allows us to better understand mosquito populations and optimize disease prevention efforts."
Researchers call for continued entomological and epidemiological studies to determine the range of the new species, its potential impact on disease transmission, and how it can be incorporated into mosquito control strategies.