A New Chromosomal Phylogeny Supports the Repeated Origin of Vectorial Capacity in Malaria Mosquitoes of the Anopheles gambiae Complex

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002960
• Publication Date: 2012-10-04T20:55:25Z
• Authors: Maryam Kamali; Ai Xia; Zhijian Tu; Igor V. Sharakhov
• Keywords: Anopheles gambiae; Chromosomal inversion; Species complex

Understanding phylogenetic relationships within species complexes of disease vectors is crucial for identifying genomic changes associated with the evolution epidemiologically important traits. However, high degree genetic similarity among sibling confounds ability to determine using molecular markers. The goal this study was infer ancestral-descendant malaria and nonvectors Anopheles gambiae complex by analyzing breakpoints fixed chromosomal inversions in ingroup several outgroup species. We identified genes at overlapping 2Ro 2Rp An. merus fluorescence situ hybridization, a whole-genome mate-paired sequencing, clone sequencing. also mapped inversion 2La (common merus, gambiae, arabiensis) bioinformatics approach. demonstrated that "standard" 2R+(p) arrangement "inverted" arrangements are present stephensi, Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus. data indicate ancestral had 2Ro, 2R+(p), arrangements. uniquely characterizes vector as basal complex. rooted phylogeny implies acquired its sister 2R+(o) from karyotype quadriannulatus A B derived major gambiae. conclude effectively transmit human originated repeatedly Our findings suggest saltwater tolerance first then independently melas. new will facilitate association evolutionary phenotypes.