01 Oca 2026 Perşembe
Unraveling the evolution and diversification of mosquitoes: Implications for biological control strategies
Abstract : Mosquitoes are small flying insects that have troubled humans and animals for millions of years. As some of the deadliest creatures on Earth, they are responsible for spreading diseases that claim millions of lives annually. Modern mosquitoes belong to family Culicidae, which is divided into two subfamilies: Anophelinae and Culicinae. The Anophelinae subfamily includes three genera, while Culicinae contains 37 genera spread across 11 tribes. Fossil records indicate that Culicidae family evolved during the Jurassic period of Mesozoic era, around 210 million years ago. However, the primary groups of mosquitoes likely emerged after the Cretaceous period, coinciding with the rise of angiosperms and the diversification of mammals and birds, which provided essential blood sources for these blood-feeding insects. Although much of the evolutionary history and phylogenetic positioning of many mosquito species remains unclear, the four primary mechanisms of biological evolution—high reproductive potential, reproductive mortality, natural selection, and inheritance—interact with genetic mechanisms throughout their long evolutionary history. To gain more comprehensive insights into the evolution and diversification of Culicidae family, broader species sampling, including those from various genera and subgenera worldwide, is necessary. Such understanding is crucial for developing effective biological control strategies against these pervasive and harmful insects.