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<p>A recent study conducted in West Khasi Hills (WKH) and West Jaintia Hills (WJH) districts of Meghalaya has documented a low occurrence of the primary malaria vectors, <i>Anopheles baimaii</i> and <i>An. minimus</i>, alongside a relatively higher abundance of other anophelines, particularly members of the Maculatus Group. <i>Plasmodium</i> infection in the <i>An. maculatus</i> sensu lato (s.l.) was last reported in 1941, with no subsequent implication of <i>An. maculatus</i> s.l. in malaria transmission from Meghalaya or Northeast (NE) India for over eight decades. Given this apparent gap between species abundance and its recognised vector status, the present study was undertaken to examine the species composition and vector potential of predominant species using molecular tools in the Khasi Hills and Garo Hills regions of Meghalaya. In this study, we employed molecular techniques for precise species identification and detection of parasites. Our findings confirm natural infections of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> in <i>An. maculatus</i> sensu stricto (s.s.) and <i>An. pseudowillmori</i>—two member species of the Maculatus Group in Meghalaya. Resting adult <i>Anopheles</i> mosquitoes were collected between 2019 and 2023 (excluding 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) in the Khasi Hills and Garo Hills regions using a mouth aspirator and torchlight, both indoors and outdoors. Out of 215 specimens analysed, 177 (82.32%) were identified as <i>An. maculatus</i> s.s., 33 (15.34%) as <i>An. pseudowillmori</i>, and 5 (2.32%) as <i>An. willmori</i>. Notably, <i>Plasmodium</i> infection was detected in 49 (27.68%) of 177 <i>An. maculatus</i> s.s. specimens and 16 (48.48%) of 33 <i>An. pseudowillmori</i> specimens, reinforcing their potential vectorial role in malaria transmission. F<sub>ST</sub> analysis revealed significant genetic differentiation between <i>An. maculatus</i> s.s. populations from the Khasi Hills Region (KHR) and Garo Hills Region (GHR), further supported by haplotype network analysis. Additionally, blood meal analysis of specimens collected from cattle sheds during evening resting hours indicated diverse host feeding patterns: 15% had fed on humans, 16% on cattle, and 17% on both. The presence of mixed blood meals suggests that <i>An. maculatus</i> s.s. exhibits opportunistic and flexible feeding behaviour. These results provide molecular evidence of malaria transmission by specific members of the Maculatus Group in Meghalaya, underscoring their epidemiological importance. The genetic divergence and feeding plasticity highlight the need for targeted vector control in the region.</p>

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Anopheles maculatus s.l as potential malaria vectors with opportunistic feeding in Meghalaya, Northeast India

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月27日

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  • Ashwarya Kumari Sihag,
  • Jadab Rajkonwar,
  • Bankerdonbor Kharbisnop,
  • Dringstone M. Sangma,
  • Charismata Budnah,
  • Preeti Acharya,
  • Savitha Chellappan,
  • Gautam Hazarika,
  • Pinki Talukder,
  • Rocky Pebam,
  • Kalpana Baruah,
  • Dibya Ranjan Bhattacharyya,
  • Sudhanya Ray Hajong,
  • Harpreet Kaur,
  • Kanwar Narain,
  • Ipsita Pal Bhowmick

摘要

A recent study conducted in West Khasi Hills (WKH) and West Jaintia Hills (WJH) districts of Meghalaya has documented a low occurrence of the primary malaria vectors, Anopheles baimaii and An. minimus, alongside a relatively higher abundance of other anophelines, particularly members of the Maculatus Group. Plasmodium infection in the An. maculatus sensu lato (s.l.) was last reported in 1941, with no subsequent implication of An. maculatus s.l. in malaria transmission from Meghalaya or Northeast (NE) India for over eight decades. Given this apparent gap between species abundance and its recognised vector status, the present study was undertaken to examine the species composition and vector potential of predominant species using molecular tools in the Khasi Hills and Garo Hills regions of Meghalaya. In this study, we employed molecular techniques for precise species identification and detection of parasites. Our findings confirm natural infections of Plasmodium falciparum in An. maculatus sensu stricto (s.s.) and An. pseudowillmori—two member species of the Maculatus Group in Meghalaya. Resting adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected between 2019 and 2023 (excluding 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) in the Khasi Hills and Garo Hills regions using a mouth aspirator and torchlight, both indoors and outdoors. Out of 215 specimens analysed, 177 (82.32%) were identified as An. maculatus s.s., 33 (15.34%) as An. pseudowillmori, and 5 (2.32%) as An. willmori. Notably, Plasmodium infection was detected in 49 (27.68%) of 177 An. maculatus s.s. specimens and 16 (48.48%) of 33 An. pseudowillmori specimens, reinforcing their potential vectorial role in malaria transmission. FST analysis revealed significant genetic differentiation between An. maculatus s.s. populations from the Khasi Hills Region (KHR) and Garo Hills Region (GHR), further supported by haplotype network analysis. Additionally, blood meal analysis of specimens collected from cattle sheds during evening resting hours indicated diverse host feeding patterns: 15% had fed on humans, 16% on cattle, and 17% on both. The presence of mixed blood meals suggests that An. maculatus s.s. exhibits opportunistic and flexible feeding behaviour. These results provide molecular evidence of malaria transmission by specific members of the Maculatus Group in Meghalaya, underscoring their epidemiological importance. The genetic divergence and feeding plasticity highlight the need for targeted vector control in the region.