| Anopheles dirus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Culicidae |
| Genus: | Anopheles |
| Subgenus: | Cellia |
| (unranked): | Neomyzomyia |
| Species group: | Leucosphyrus group |
| Species subgroup: | Leucosphyrus subgroup |
| Species complex: | Dirus species complex Peyton & Harrison, 1979 |
| Species[1] | |
| |
 | |
| range map forAnopheles spp..Anopheles dirus is in cyan in Southeast Asia | |
Anopheles dirus is avector ofmalaria inAsian forested zones.[2]
It is often seen as aspecies complex including at least seven[3][4] closely related and efficient forest-based malaria vectors in Asia. Hence, its geographical distribution is overlapping with areas of high malaria prevalence rates and the occurrence of drug resistantPlasmodium falciparum.[5]P. falciparum is one of the four main protozoan parasites that cause malaria and is one of the leading causes of malaria deaths. This species complex is of high medical importance for malaria control, in view of the biological specificities of the members of this complex. Sympatric sibling species of the complex differ in types of larval habitat, seasonality and behaviour. These differences also exist within the species suggesting the role of environmental factors in determining these.[2]
The complex has been reported mainly fromNortheast India,Bangladesh,Myanmar andThailand.[3] It has also been reported from other areas in India such asJammu & Kashmir[6] andAndaman Islands.[7] One of the species in the complex has also been reported fromShimoga inSouth India although its vectorial status is unknown.[3]GIS-based predictive habitat modelling has revealed that over half of severalNortheast Indian states, whole ofThailand and nearly a third of large areas inSouth Indian states likeKerala andGoa could harbour this complex.[8]
Insecticide resistance is an increasing concern insoutheast Asia.[9] Althoughivermectin is thought of as solely anendoparasiticide, it has proven effective as anendectocide againstAn. dirus.[9] Cramer et al 2021 usezooprophylaxis-aided ivermectin-based vector elimination (ZAIVE), injecting cattle with the antiparasitic and getting at least 30 days of increased mortality in this species andAn. epiroticus.[9]
