Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquito species in Ecuador: their role in malaria transmission.

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge, driven by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through bites of Anopheles mosquitoes. Ecuador's diverse ecological regions host various Anopheles species, influencing malaria transmission dynamics. This study documents the distribution and biodiversity of Anopheles mosquitoes across Ecuador's Amazon, Coastal, and Andean regions, based on the collection of 9,882 specimens from 2017 to 2023. Morphological identification, complemented by PCR analysis of cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI) genes, revealed 32 Anopheles species. Key findings include the predominance of An. albimanus in the Coastal and Andean foothill regions and An. oswaldoi in the Amazon. Biodiversity indices highlight higher species richness in the Amazon and Coastal regions compared to the Andean region, where An. albimanus dominated. The study underscores the need for region-specific vector management strategies. In the Coastal and Andean regions, targeted indoor and peridomestic vector control is recommended, while in the Amazon, the emphasis should be on preventing human-vector interaction and biological control of immature mosquito stages. These findings enhance the understanding of Anopheles biodiversity and distribution in Ecuador, informing the design of tailored interventions to advance malaria elimination goals.