Last Updated: 20/10/2025
Chromosomal polymorphism in populations of sibling species of malaria mosquitoes in the taiga zone of Eurasia
Objectives
The aim of this project is to study chromosomal variability in populations of taiga malaria mosquitoes, determine the boundaries of distribution of sibling species, the degree of interspecific hybridization, identify hybrid zones, and assess possible changes in the species composition and karyotypic structure of populations under conditions of global warming.
Specific project objectives include:
- Diagnosis of cryptic malarial mosquitoes in local habitats of the taiga zone using molecular genetic and cytogenetic methods; study of SNP polymorphism of the ITS2 marker locus of ribosomal DNA used for taxonomic purposes;
- Determination of the northern borders of the ranges of sibling species of malarial mosquitoes in the taiga zone of the Palaearctic; assessment of the relative abundance of species introduced into the biocenoses of the northern taiga zone and their relations with native species; identification of interspecific hybrids and hybrid zones (by molecular-genetic and cytogenetic methods);
- Analysis of chromosomal variability in populations of sibling species of taiga malaria mosquitoes using molecular genetic methods of species diagnosis; identification of common and species-specific chromosomal rearrangements in closely related species An. daciae and An. messeae s.s.; and
- Study of long-term dynamics of inversion frequencies in chromosomally polymorphic species through repeated cytogenetic analysis of populations studied in the 1970s and 1980s.
The fundamental problem addressed by this project is the study of microevolutionary processes caused by the interaction of recently separated species of malaria mosquitoes (Anopheles, Diptera, Culicidae), genetic mechanisms of adaptation of populations of these species to the conditions of cohabitation and ways of formation of isolated ecological niches.
The novelty of the study is due to the possibility of studying the genetic mechanisms of speciation in a unique object – two recently divided species An. daciae and An. messeae s.s. with incomplete reproductive isolation. The project will provide new data on the distribution of cryptic malarial mosquito species in the northern Palaearctic, in regions that are intensively explored but remain completely unstudied as to the composition of epidemiologically important species. The information about penetration of southern species of malarial mosquitoes into the northern taiga zone and data on chromosomal composition of populations of native malarial mosquitoes An. beklemishevi and An. messeae s.s. will be new. In light of the discussion about genetic effects of global warming, new unique data on long-term dynamics of chromosomal composition of populations of malarial mosquitoes of the taiga zone of Eurasia will be obtained.
Jan 2022 — Dec 2023
Related Resources
