Molecular Perspectives on the Genetics of Mosquitoes

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter presents molecular perspectives on the genetics of mosquitoes. The chapter reviews various recent molecular studies performed on mosquitoes of the genera Anopheles, Culex, and Aedes. These genera include the principal vectors of three major groups of human pathogens: malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium, filarial worms of the genera Wuchereria and Brugia, and numerous arboviruses. Anophelines are the only mosquitoes known to transmit human malaria parasites, a group of organisms that may be responsible for more morbidity and mortality worldwide than any other human pathogen. Anophelines also transmit filarial worms as do Culex and Aedes species. The chapter also discusses how molecular techniques are used to reveal genetic differentiation, both for the identification of cryptic species and for the understanding of population structure and evolution. The chapter describes the genome organization on the basis of reassociation kinetics, molecular cloning, and genome mapping. The chapter discusses the molecular biology of specific physiological systems, including insecticide resistance, immune mechanisms, oogenesis, and salivation. The identification of endogenous mobile elements and potential transformation systems for both cell lines and embryos are also described in the chapter.