Microsatellite-based genetic structure of two malaria vectors Anopheles superpictus and Anopheles sacharovi populations from Turkey

Anopheles species are freshwater mosquitoes found in Turkey, where they have been the most important malaria vectors locally from the past to the present. The implementation of the integrated vector control methods have been difficult for these important malaria vectors as the different species have evolved different levels of resistance to the presently used insecticides. Population genetics research sheds light on gene flow across mosquito populations and, as a result, the likelihood of the spread of insecticide resistance genes across geographical regions. Considering the importance of these vectors, we analyzed the genetic structure and gene flow levels of six An. sacharovi and An. superpictus populations by using eight microsatellite markers. Anopheles samples were collected from different areas of the Aegean region of Turkey. Genotyping was carried out by using eight microsatellite markers on the ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. Genetic analyses indicated a relatively high level of genetic variation in Anopheles populations. The results revealed low genetic differentiation and moderate amounts of gene flow for both species among distinct populations. Also, significant genetic differentiation between the plurality of the population pairs analyzed was not found to be relevant to the geographic distances between populations. This is the first study to investigate the population genetics of the main malaria vectors, An. sacharovi and An. superpictus. Breeding habits, host feeding of Anopheles species, different collection times or points, climate, and variable effective population sizes may be some factors in the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation that have been observed between the populations.