Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
The latter of the two species is relatively uncommon, whereas
An. punctulatus
s.s.
is reportedly widespread and an important vector on the island of New
Guinea. The distribution of
An. punctulatus s.s.
spans eastern Indonesia, Papua
New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Adult females feed readily on humans
outdoors or occasionally indoors. Those that feed indoors may rest there, but are
more likely to exit to find an outdoor resting spot. Peak biting times vary based
on the geographic location. The larvae of
An. punctulatus s.s.
thrive in temporary
pools that result from disturbed ecology. The habitats tend to be small, shallow,
sunlit pools of water that may be turbid, but never brackish.
The distribution of the eight cryptic species of the Farauti Complex
is largely dependent on the species' tolerance of salinity such that some
members are coastal species (e.g.
An. farauti s.s.
) while others are restricted
to inland areas with freshwater larval habitats (e.g.
Anopheles hinesorum
). The
feeding habits of
An. farauti s.l.
also vary; host preference changes based on
the availability of hosts and resting may be dependent on where feeding
occurred. Peak biting times fluctuate with location, but it should be noted
that daytime biting may occur. The larval habitats of members of the com-
plex are typically in natural rain-fed water bodies, but artificial containers
such as water drums or coconut shells may also be used. The habitats range
in salinity and light intensity due to the wide geographic distribution of the
species complex.
The predicted distribution of
An. koliensis
is similar to that of the Punct-
ulatus Complex. The adult females tend to be anthropophilic, but will feed
on other animal hosts. Although females may go indoors in search of a host,
resting typically occurs outdoors. Feeding can occur throughout the night,
with variable peak times based on location. The larval habitats of
An. koli-
ensis
are intermediate between those of
An. farauti s.l.
and
An. punctulatus
s.l.
and are generally associated with permanent freshwater bodies in open
grassland such as irrigation ditches.
Anopheles leucosphyrus
and
An. latens
are sister species of the Leucosphy-
rus Complex. Both species are found in forested areas with the former on
the island of Sumatra and the latter on the southern portions of the Thai
and Malaysian Peninsula and parts of Borneo. Both species are considered to
be important vectors of malaria and were long thought of as the same spe-
cies until molecular and cross-mating studies distinguished between them
(
Baimai
et al.
, 1988
). Little is known of the bionomics of
An. leucosphyrus
s.s.
because much of the literature on '
An. leucosphyrus
' is now known to
refer to
An. latens
. The species has been shown to bite humans both inside
and outside, however.
Anopheles latens
bites throughout the night with peak
