Species composition of the Anopheles gambiae complex across eco-vegetational zones in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta region, Nigeria.
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Date
2012-09
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Abstract
Background & objectives: Correct vector identification is an important task in the planning and implementation of malaria vector control programmes. This study was designed to provide baseline information on the species
composition and distribution of members of the Anopheles gambiae complex in three eco-vegetational zones in
Bayelsa state, Nigeria.
Methods: Adult mosquitoes were collected by pyrethrum spray catch (PSC) in randomly selected houses during
September 2009–August 2010. Anopheles mosquitoes were identified using standard morphological keys.
Mosquitoes identified as An. gambiae s.l. were used for species specific PCR-assays.
Results: Out of 203 Anopheles gambiae s.l. successfully amplified, 180 (88.7%) were Anopheles gambiae s.s.,
14 (6.9%) were An. melas and 9 (4.4%) were An. arabiensis. The variation in the sibling species composition of
An. gambiae s.l. was not significant (p >0.05). Anopheles gambiae s.s. was predominant in all the collections
with three sibling species occurring in all the eco-vegetational zones.
Interpretation & conclusion: The observation of An. melas in the fresh water swamp forest of Yenagoa is of
importance in malaria epidemiology. These findings are of importance in the planning and implementation of malaria vector control strategy in the three eco-vegetational zones of Bayelsa state.
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Keywords
Anopheles gambiae s.l., Bayelsa state, distribution, eco-vegetation, Nigeria, PCR
Citation
Ebenezer A, Okiwelu S N, Agi P I, Noutcha M A E, Awolola T S, Oduola A O. Species composition of the Anopheles gambiae complex across eco-vegetational zones in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Journal of Vector Borne Diseases. 2012 Sept; 49(3): 164-167.