Last Updated: 20/10/2025
Genetic and ecological analysis of populations of the malaria mosquito Anopheles plumbeus as an important potential vector of vector-borne diseases in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus
Objectives
The aim of our research within this problem is to study the genetic organization of An. plumbeus on the basis of full genome sequencing, cytokarting, assessment of genetic variability and ecological structure of populations.
Specific objectives of the project:
- To analyse the geographical distribution and ecological structure of An. plumbeus malaria mosquito populations.
- Conducting field research and sampling of larvae and adults in natural habitats and urbanized habitats in Russia and Belarus.
- Assessment of ecological parameters of larval breeding sites, numbers and activity of adults.
- Cytogenetic analysis, creation of cytomap of polytene chromosomes of stained cells of larval salivary glands and malpighian vessels of adults, mapping of fluctuating chromosomal rearrangements.
- Study of genetic polymorphism in synanthropic and autochthonous populations of An. plumbeus using mitochondrial and nuclear markers.
- Determination of chromosomal variability in populations.
- Assessment of the confinement of adaptive inversion polymorphism in An. plumbeus populations to landscape-climatic and floristic zones.
- Full genome sequencing of An. plumbeus.
- Physical mapping using FISH-hybridisation method and genome annotation.
- Phylogenomic analysis.
- To write methodological recommendations on the control of An. plumbeus, including data on current distribution boundaries of mosquitoes, possible limits of species range expansion due to synanthropization and invasion of new landscape-climatic and floristic zones, ways of determining species status of mosquitoes by different methods (morphological, molecular-genetic and cytogenetic methods, a detailed atlas-identifier of larvae and adults with high-resolution photos and classical figures for employees of sanitary-and-epidemiologic services, description of biology and ecology of the species, specific habitats in Russia and Byelorussia.
Principal Institution
Principal Investigators / Focal Persons
Rationale and Abstract
The main scientific problem of this study is the investigation of genetic and ecological mechanisms of microevolution and adaptation of the epidemiologically important mosquito Anopheles plumbeus.
As a result of these studies, the range of An. plumbeus will be clarified. For the first time the modern northern borders of distribution of this epidemiologically important species on the territory of Russia and Belarus will be established. For the first time characteristic places of breeding in a number of An. plumbeus habitats will be determined. Ecological parameters of larval habitats, number and activity of imago attack in synanthropic and autochthonous populations have been established. Genetic variability in populations will be assessed for the first time on the basis of analysis of chromosomal variability and mitochondrial markers. For the first time, a cytomap of stained polytene chromosomes will be constructed and mapping of fluctuating chromosomal rearrangements will be carried out. An. plumbeus oocytes will be obtained and an attempt will be made to determine the ability of An. plumbeus cell culture to be infected with malaria pathogens, dirophyllaria and West Nile virus. For the first time, full genome sequencing, physical mapping and annotation of the An. plumbeus genome will be performed. Phylogenetic relationships with other Palaearctic species of Anopheles will be established for the first time. A comparative genetic analysis from synanthropic and autochthonous populations will be performed on the basis of full-genome sequencing.
Date
Jan 2024 — Dec 2026
Funding Details
Russian Science Foundation (RSF), Russian Federation
Grant ID: 24-44-10003
Project Site
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