Dr. Tatiana Șuleșco (Hamburg / DE; Chisinau / MD), Prof. Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit (Hamburg / DE), Dr. Felix G. Sauer (Hamburg / DE), Dr. Renke Lühken (Hamburg / DE)
Abstract text
Introduction. The Anopheles maculipennis complex includes the main vectors of malaria parasites in historic Europe. Besides, A. maculipennis s.l. has been found to be naturally infected with Batai virus, West Nile virus, Usutu virus and filarial nematodes. However, data on the spatial distribution of different species are outdated or limited for many European countries. Research on Anopheles species was mainly neglected after malaria eradication in Moldova about 70 years ago and only fragmented data were obtained during the monitoring of other mosquito species.
Objectives. The aim of this study was to update the data on the occurrence, distribution and host feeding preferences of the A. maculipennis complex members in Moldova using molecular screening techniques.
Materials and methods. The field work was conducted in 2016, 2017 and 2019 in 70 locations in Moldova. A. maculipennis s.l. females were sampled using CO2 - baited CDC traps, CDC light traps and mouth aspirators inside and outside animal stables and natural caves. Species-typing was conducted with PCRs targeting the ITS2-gene. The cytochrome b gene and 16S gene-fragments were sequenced to identify the vertebrate host in mosquito blood meals. Distribution maps were constructed in combination with previous studies and georeferenced records from historic literature.
Results. Four taxa of the A. maculipennis complex were identified from 297 specimens: A. atroparvus, A. daciae, A. maculipennis s.s. and A. messeae. Anopheles daciae was recorded for the first time in Moldova. The most widely distributed and abundant species was A. maculipennis s.s. The distribution of A. daciae and A. messeae overlapped in southern Moldova. Overall, 158 DNA sequences of the cytochrome b gene and 16S gene have been obtained from the engorged mosquitoes. Cattle (134 specimens, 84.8 %) and pig (10 specimens, 6.3 %) were the most commonly found hosts, followed by human (4 specimens, 2.5 %) dog (4 specimens, 2.5 %), horse (3 specimens, 1.9 %) and chicken (2 specimens, 1.3 %). Anopheles daciae (72 specimens, 24.3 %) was found to have the highest host diversity including cattle, poultry and humans.
Conclusion. The presence and distribution range of A. atroparvus, A. maculipennis s.s. and A. messeae in Moldova was confirmed for the first time by molecular sequencing. Anopheles daciae is a new record for the country. The A. maculipennis complex was found to have a high host diversity with prevalence of non-human mammals.