Molecular Identification and phylogenetic analysis of mosquito vectors from Mananthavady Taluk, Wayanad, Kerala, India

ABSTRACT

Background & objectives: Every year more than one billion people are infected and about one million people die from vector-borne diseases; of which mosquito-borne diseases remain as the world’s most severe insect-borne diseases with excessive rates of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to examine the mosquito vectors and the possible diseases transmitted by them in the Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad, Kerala. Methods: The area selected for the present study was Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad district, Kerala, during 2019–2021. The collected specimen were subjected for morphological identification using taxonomic keys and were confirmed by DNA barcoding. Molecular phylogeny assessment was done for the collected species of vector mosquitoes. Results: A total of 17 mosquito species belonging to 5 genera, Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, Mansonia and Armigeres were identified. The mitochondrial COI gene sequences generated for molecular identification of these species were submitted to NCBI GenBank. Interpretation & conclusion: Overall, this study extends our understanding of the molecular evolution of mosquito vectors of medical and veterinary concern, which could aid in developing biotechnological approaches used in Culicidae control programs.