Unveiling the Nanomorphological Architecture of Malaria Vectors' Wings via Minkowski and Multifractal Formalisms.

Abstract

Deciphering the nanoscale architecture of mosquito wings is crucial for understanding species-specific flight adaptations and vectorial behaviors. In this study, we present a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the wing surface morphology of Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles aquasalis. By integrating high-resolution microscopy with Minkowski functionals and multifractal formalism, we reveal pronounced interspecific and dorso-ventral asymmetries in mosquito wing surfaces at both micro- and nanoscales. Atomic force microscopic topographies revealed distinct differences in dorsal versus ventral surface roughness, with An. aquasalis displaying higher elevation variance and denser nanomorphological heterogeneity. Minkowski volume and boundary descriptors showed slower decay and broader distribution for An. aquasalis, especially on its dorsal side, indicative of complex topographic relief. Multifractal spectra, derived from the box-counting method across q = -10 to +10, exhibited larger width (Δα ≈ 1.073) and stronger left-symmetry (H ≈ -0.852) in An. aquasalis, compared to narrower and more symmetric spectra in An. darlingi (Δα ≈ 1.009; H ≈ -0.532). Generalized fractal dimensions (D0 ≈ 2.00; D2 range: 1.951-1.982) and singularity spectra asymmetry (Δf up to -1.732) further differentiated species and wing sides. These multiscale descriptors demonstrate that An. aquasalis, particularly its ventral surface, harbors higher degrees of nanomorphological complexity and textural irregularity.