An updated checklist of Anopheles (Diptera, Culicidae) of Colombia with new records and distribution data

Several species of Anopheles mosquitoes (Arthropoda, Insecta, Diptera, Culicidae) are important in public health due to their role in malaria transmission. Of the more than 500 Anopheles species worldwide, 47 have been reported in Colombia, but only nine are known to transmit malaria. Taxonomic classification of these mosquitoes is complicated by the existence of species complexes and groups of closely related species that are difficult to distinguish based on morphological characteristics. However, molecular techniques have contributed to resolving taxonomic uncertainties, definition of molecular variants and facilitated the correction of erroneous taxonomic assignments. This study aimed to update the list of Anopheles species reported for Colombia. A species checklist was compiled by reviewing catalogs, publications, databases, and unpublished data. Only formally characterized species were included, along with their geographic range and ecological distribution. The final list includes 44 formally characterized Anopheles species belonging to five subgenera. The Nyssorhynchus subgenus constituted the largest group with 17 species and the widest distribution, occurring in 18 ecoregions. The Anopheles subgenus was the second largest group with 16 species and occurrences in 16 ecoregions. Sixty-six new presence records were added to the checklist. The updated Anopheles checklist, encompassing presence records and ecological distributions, enhances our understanding of Anopheles mosquito biodiversity. Furthermore, it contributes to improved public health by providing a foundation for targeted vector control interventions.