coluzzii

Coluzzii is a mosquito species, Anopheles coluzzii, within the Anopheles gambiae species complex and a principal malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa. It was recognized as a distinct species in 2013, diverging from what was formerly known as the M molecular form of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto. The name honors Paolo Coluzzi, an Italian entomologist who contributed to the study of the gambiae complex. Species status was established through chromosomal, molecular, and ecological data that differentiated it from An. gambiae s.s.

Distribution and habitat: An. coluzzii is found mainly in West and Central Africa, with occurrences from Senegal to parts of Central Africa. It commonly breeds in more permanent water bodies, such as rice fields, irrigation canals, and ponds, and can live in urban and agricultural environments where such habitats occur. It often coexists with An. gambiae s.s. in sympatric regions, sharing many ecological niches.

Behavior and ecology: Like other members of the gambiae complex, An. coluzzii is predominantly nocturnal and tends to feed on humans in many populations, contributing to malaria transmission. Feeding and resting behaviors can vary by locality, and some populations show differences in host preference and breeding site selection.

Vector status and malaria transmission: An. coluzzii is a major malaria vector due to its proximity to humans and efficient Plasmodium falciparum transmission. Its vectorial capacity is influenced by local environmental conditions, behavioral traits, and interactions with closely related species and hybrids.

Research and surveillance: The recognition of An. coluzzii as a separate species has implications for vector-control strategies, surveillance, and studies of insecticide resistance and genomic adaptation within the malaria transmission cycle.