Molecular Characterisation of Anopheles Species Collected from Two Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria remains a major health concern in the tropics with its vector; the Anopheles species assume several dimensions of resisting control measures. Molecular characterization of the malaria vectors was carried out in two locations of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria. Indoor and outdoor biting mosquitoes were collected and identified morphologically. A total of two hundred and twenty-eight (228) Anopheles mosquitoes were caught from two communities (Kubwa and Nyanya). Molecular characterization of sibling species of the An. gambiae complex was done using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques. The PCR molecular analysis showed that the S-form of Anopheles gambiae s.s was more abundant (76.8%) than the M-form (8.0%). The S-form occurred throughout the year with its peak at the beginning of the wet season while the M-form, An. coluzii occurred towards the end of the dry seasons. This suggests the likelihood of continuous malaria transmission all round the year. Inhabitants of the study area there have the need for effective vector control.