A Comprehensive Review: Biology of <i>Anopheles squamosus</i>, an Understudied Malaria Vector in Africa
Valerie T. Nguyen,
Dalia S. Dryden,
Brooke A. Broder,
Ayaan Tadimari,
Primrose Tanachaiwiwat,
Derrick K. Mathias,
Panpim Thongsripong,
Lawrence E. Reeves,
Renee L. M. N. Ali,
Mary E. Gebhardt,
Kochelani Saili,
Limonty Simubali,
Edgar Simulundu,
Douglas E. Norris,
Yoosook Lee
Affiliations
Valerie T. Nguyen
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
Dalia S. Dryden
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
Brooke A. Broder
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
Ayaan Tadimari
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
Primrose Tanachaiwiwat
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
Derrick K. Mathias
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
Panpim Thongsripong
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
Lawrence E. Reeves
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
Renee L. M. N. Ali
The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Mary E. Gebhardt
The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Kochelani Saili
Macha Research Trust, Macha 10101, Southern, Zambia
Limonty Simubali
Macha Research Trust, Macha 10101, Southern, Zambia
Edgar Simulundu
Macha Research Trust, Macha 10101, Southern, Zambia
Douglas E. Norris
The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Yoosook Lee
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
With ongoing global efforts to eliminate malaria, several countries have entered a pre-elimination stage, in which populations of the primary mosquito vector are reduced and the rates of malaria transmission are low. Efforts to eliminate malaria have changed the dynamics of disease transmission, causing a shift in anopheline community composition in some regions. One of the most abundant species of Anopheles found in pre-elimination areas, such as southern Africa, is Anopheles squamosus (Theobald, 1901; Diptera: Culicidae). Although An. squamosus has been documented across the African continent, limited information is available about its biology. Knowing what, when, and where the malaria vector bites humans can help develop effective malaria control strategies. The aim of this review is to compile the information available on An. squamosus’s biology, ecology, distribution, behavior, and potential role in disease transmission. The review of current literature suggested that An. squamosus is abundant throughout the African continent. Studies indicate that this species occupies the same range and exhibits similar behaviors to primary malaria vectors in southern and eastern African countries, like Zambia. In conclusion, An. squamosus continues to be an understudied species that has circumvented disease control measures and further studies are needed to develop effective control strategies.
