Behavior and population structure of Anopheles darlingi in Colombia

Anopheles darlingi is a widely distributed and important malaria vector in Colombia. Biogeographical and ecological heterogeneity across the Colombian distribution led to the hypothesis of behavioral and genetic differentiation among A. darlingi populations. A total of 2017 A. darlingi specimens were collected during 222 h of sampling. This vector was the most abundant anopheline species in most of the localities sampled. Subdivision between samples collected west and east of the Andes was indicated by 1) mitochondrial COI and nuclear CAD sequences from NW-W and CE-S populations (COI ΦST=0.48761-0.81974, CAD FST=0.11319-0.21321), 2) a COI haplotype network, and 3) SAMOVA. Endo- and exophagy were detected in populations west of the Andes, whereas exophagy was evident in PTG, a locality east of the Andes. Isolation by resistance was significant for COI and explained 26% of the genetic differentiation. We suggest that at a macrogeographic scale, the Andes influence the differentiation of A. darlingi in Colombia and may drive divergence, and, at a microgeographic scale, ecological differences have a significant impact on structure. These data could constitute a baseline for the design of effective vector interventions, locality-specific for the east and similar for panmictic populations west of the Andes.