Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Artificial visual environments to enhance mating success in colonised Anopheles funestus.

Parasites & vectors·2026
Same author

Mapping healthcare service utilisation for diabetes and hypertension in Tanzania mainland: bayesian spatial modeling.

Frontiers in health services·2026
Same author

Comparable restimulation of human T cells activated with CD3/CD28 beads versus soluble antibody complexes.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Monitoring the Capacity of <i>Microsporidia MB</i> Transgenerational Spread in <i>Anopheles arabiensis</i> Populations.

Insects·2025
Same author

Comparing a Novel Anti-BCMA NanoCAR with a Conventional ScFv-Based CAR for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma.

Cells·2025
Same author

Characterization of <i>Anopheles</i> Species and Entomological Indicators Following Indoor Residual Spraying Campaign in Cuando Cubango, Angola.

Insects·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 4, 2025

A Bacterial Oral Feeding Assay with Antibiotic-Treated Mosquitoes
09:59

A Bacterial Oral Feeding Assay with Antibiotic-Treated Mosquitoes

Published on: September 12, 2020

6.7K

Microbiota identified from preserved Anopheles.

Bianca E Silva1,2, Zvifadzo Matsena Zingoni3, Lizette L Koekemoer1,2

  • 1Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Malaria Journal
|May 23, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Preserving African malaria vectors like Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus using silica or RNAlater® is effective for studying their microbiota. Microbial diversity remains stable regardless of preservation method or duration.

Keywords:
Anopheles arabiensisAnopheles funestusCulturomicsNext-generation sequencingRNAlater ®Silica

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Optimizing Mosquito Organ Dissection for Studying Symbionts and Vector Microbiomes
03:58

Author Spotlight: Optimizing Mosquito Organ Dissection for Studying Symbionts and Vector Microbiomes

Published on: October 4, 2024

2.7K
A Simple Chelex Protocol for DNA Extraction from Anopheles spp.
07:16

A Simple Chelex Protocol for DNA Extraction from Anopheles spp.

Published on: January 9, 2013

55.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 4, 2025

A Bacterial Oral Feeding Assay with Antibiotic-Treated Mosquitoes
09:59

A Bacterial Oral Feeding Assay with Antibiotic-Treated Mosquitoes

Published on: September 12, 2020

6.7K
Author Spotlight: Optimizing Mosquito Organ Dissection for Studying Symbionts and Vector Microbiomes
03:58

Author Spotlight: Optimizing Mosquito Organ Dissection for Studying Symbionts and Vector Microbiomes

Published on: October 4, 2024

2.7K
A Simple Chelex Protocol for DNA Extraction from Anopheles spp.
07:16

A Simple Chelex Protocol for DNA Extraction from Anopheles spp.

Published on: January 9, 2013

55.8K

Area of Science:

  • Medical Entomology
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Anopheles gambiae complex and Anopheles funestus group mosquitoes are primary African malaria vectors.
  • Mosquito microbiota are crucial for vector physiology and competence, necessitating studies on wild populations.
  • Limited research exists on microbial characterization post-preservation for African vectors, with few cost-effective preservatives evaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the microbiota of Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus, key African malaria vectors.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of silica desiccant and RNAlater® solution as cost-effective preservation methods for mosquito microbiota analysis.
  • To assess the impact of preservation on microbial diversity and composition in these vector species.

Main Methods:

  • Employed both culture-dependent (culturomics, MALDI-TOF MS) and culture-independent (next-generation sequencing) techniques.
  • Analyzed laboratory-colonized and field-collected Anopheles mosquitoes.
  • Investigated samples preserved on silica or in RNAlater® for varying durations (4-16 weeks).

Main Results:

  • Identified common bacteria (Elizabethkingia anophelis, Serratia oryzae) and species-specific bacteria (Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus epidermidis) between vector species.
  • Found no significant influence of sex, preservation condition, preservative type, or duration on microbial diversity.
  • Observed that bacterial identification technique significantly affected microbial diversity indices.

Conclusions:

  • Silica desiccant and RNAlater® are suitable preservation methods for Anopheles microbiota analysis when paired with appropriate techniques.
  • Silica is effective with culture-dependent methods, while RNAlater® is effective with culture-independent methods.
  • Expanded options for cost-effective handling of vector samples for microbial studies, aiding future research on malaria transmission.