Gut content identification of larvae of the Anopheles gambiae complex in western Kenya using a barcoding approach

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-8286.2007.02013.x
• Publication Date: 2007-10-11T08:52:18Z
• Authors: C. GARROS; N. NGUGI; A. E. GITHEKO; N. TUNO; G. YAN
• Keywords: Anopheles gambiae; Identification; DNA Barcoding

Although larvae feeding and food source are vital to the development, survival population regulation of African malaria vectors, prey organisms Anopheles gambiae in natural environment have not been well studied. This study used a molecular barcoding approach investigate diets s.l. western Kenya. Gut contents from third- fourth-instar habitats were dissected DNA was extracted. The 18S ribosomal gene amplified, resulting clones screened using restriction fragment length polymorphism method nonmosquito sequenced. Homology search phylogenetic analyses then conducted sequences non-mosquito identify putative microorganisms ingested. clustered ingested four clades, including two clades green algae (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae Class, Chlamydomonadales Chlorococcales families), one fungal clade, unknown eukaryote clade. In parallel, same approach, an analysis biodiversity present larval carried out. demonstrated feasibility infer larvae. Our suggests that despite wide range available habitats, mosquito fed on specific groups algae. novel tools developed this can be improve our understanding ecology vectors facilitate development new control tools.