Species Composition and Distribution of Anopheles gambiae Complex Circulating in Kinshasa

Understanding the distribution ofAnophelesspecies in a region is an important task in the planning and implementation of malaria control programmes. This study was proposed to evaluate the composition and distribution of cryptic species of the main malaria vector,Anopheles gambiaecomplex, circulating in different districts of Kinshasa.

To study the distribution of members of theAn.gambiaecomplex,Anopheleswere sampled by CDC light trap and larva collection across the four districts of Kinshasa city between July 2021 and June 2022. After morphological identification, an equal proportion ofAnopheles gambiaes.l. sampled per site were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identification of crypticAn.gambiaecomplex species.

TheAnopheles gambiaecomplex was widely identified in all sites across the city of Kinshasa, with a significant difference in mean density, captured by CDC light, inside and outside households in Kinshasa (p=0.002). Two species of this complex circulate in Kinshasa:Anopheles gambiae(82.1%) andAnopheles coluzzii(17.9%). In all study sites,Anopheles gambiaewas the most prevalent species.Anopheles coluzziiwas very prevalent in Tshangu district. No hybrids (Anopheles coluzzii/Anopheles gambiae) were identified.

Two cryptic species of theAnopheles gambiaecomplex circulate in Kinshasa.Anopheles gambiaes.s., present in all districts andAnopheles coluzzii, with a limited distribution. Studies on the ecology of the larval sites are essential to better understand the factors influencing the distribution of members of theAn. gambiaecomplex in this megalopolis.