Population Dynamics and Evolution of Mosquitoes that Transmit Malaria

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/117102

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

Population dynamics and evolutionary process are fundamental to mosquito-borne infectious diseases as evolutionary forces steer both mosquito and malaria parasite to evolve around obstacles in their natural development. Environmental and ecological factors also influence the relationship between mosquito, parasite and humans. Therefore control of mosquito borne disease depends on an innate understanding of the genetics, behavior and environment. Thus studies on mosquito population dynamics including population densities, migration, population subdivisions and competition for resources will allow an understanding of these relationships. Island populations of malaria transmitting mosquitoes contain less genetic complexity (genetic variation in mosquito subpopulations) than mainland populations. Thus mosquito island populations may not contain the genetic capability of evolving around detrimental selection pressures such as the use of insecticides or predators. Armed with accurate knowledge of genetic complexity, biology and behavior of mosquito disease vector species, control measures can be accurately focused at specific populations (high disease transmission mosquito populations). This project we will identify specific populations of mosquitoes using their DNA to reveal genetic markers for specific behavior traits. Due to the smaller amount of genetic variations that island mosquito populations contain, and our aquired knowledge of their behavior and biology. We will design focused mosquito control strategies with knowledge that the mosquitoes will have a smaller chance of evolving around these control measures.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2000

End Date: 01-01-2004

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $381,807.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Population And Ecological Genetics

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Malaria | Mosquito | Tropical Disease | Tropical Health | Vector borne disease

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