TY - JOUR
T1 - Genomic diversity of the African malaria vector Anopheles funestus
AU - Boddé, Marilou
AU - Nwezeobi, Joachim
AU - Korlević, Petra
AU - Makunin, Alex
AU - Akone-Ella, Ousman
AU - Barasa, Sonia
AU - Gadji, Mahamat
AU - Hart, Lee
AU - Kaindoa, Emmanuel W.
AU - Love, Katie
AU - Lucas, Eric R.
AU - Lujumba, Ibra
AU - Máquina, Mara
AU - Nagi, Sanjay C.
AU - Odero, Joel O.
AU - Polo, Brian
AU - Sangbakembi, Claire
AU - Dadzie, Samuel
AU - Koekemoer, Lizette L.
AU - Kwiatkowski, Dominic
AU - McAlister, Erica
AU - Ochomo, Eric
AU - Okumu, Fredros
AU - Paaijmans, Krijn
AU - Tchouassi, David P.
AU - Wondji, Charles S.
AU - Ayala, Diego
AU - Durbin, Richard
AU - Miles, Alistair
AU - Lawniczak, Mara K.N.
PY - 2025/9/18
Y1 - 2025/9/18
N2 - Anopheles funestus s.s. is a major human malaria vector across Africa. To study its evolution, especially under vector control pressure, we sequenced 656 modern specimens (collected 2014 to 2018) and 45 historic specimens (collected 1927 to 1967) from 16 African countries. Despite high genetic diversity, the species shows stable but considerable continental population structure. Although one population showed little differentiation over a century and 4000 kilometers, nearby, we found two genetically distinct ecotypes. Vector control has resulted in strong signals of selection, with some resistance alleles shared across populations through gene flow and others arising independently. Fortunately, we found that a promising gene drive target in Anopheles gambiae is highly conserved in An. funestus. These insights will enable more strategic insecticide usage and gene drive deployment, supporting malaria elimination.
AB - Anopheles funestus s.s. is a major human malaria vector across Africa. To study its evolution, especially under vector control pressure, we sequenced 656 modern specimens (collected 2014 to 2018) and 45 historic specimens (collected 1927 to 1967) from 16 African countries. Despite high genetic diversity, the species shows stable but considerable continental population structure. Although one population showed little differentiation over a century and 4000 kilometers, nearby, we found two genetically distinct ecotypes. Vector control has resulted in strong signals of selection, with some resistance alleles shared across populations through gene flow and others arising independently. Fortunately, we found that a promising gene drive target in Anopheles gambiae is highly conserved in An. funestus. These insights will enable more strategic insecticide usage and gene drive deployment, supporting malaria elimination.
U2 - 10.1126/science.adu3596
DO - 10.1126/science.adu3596
M3 - Article
C2 - 40966334
AN - SCOPUS:105016590531
SN - 0036-8075
VL - 389
JO - Science (New York, N.Y.)
JF - Science (New York, N.Y.)
IS - 6766
M1 - eadu3596
ER -
