Species Composition and Role of Anopheles Mosquitoes in Malaria Transmission Along Badagry Axis of Lagos Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria

Three communities along Badagry axis of the Lagos lagoon were sampled for indoor resting Anopheles mosquitoes in order to determine their species composition, relative abundance, density and contribution to malaria transmission in the coastal ecosystem. A total of 1938 adult female Anopheles mosquitoes collected from 2005 to 2007 constituted three species viz Anopheles gambiae, An melas and An. nili. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)–-based tests indicated that more than three-fourth of the An. gambiae s.l (75.8%) population belongs to An. gambiae s.s the remaining were An. melas. Further analysis showed that all the An. gambiae s.s was the M form. ELISA-based analyses indicated that An. gambiae s.s and An. melas were the main vectors of malaria in this area with an overall P. falciparum sporozoite infection rate of 4.8% and 6.5% respectively. Both species also maintained relatively high EIR indicating their prominent roles in malaria transmission in the study area. All the An. nili tested were negative for P. falciparum sporozoite infection. This study provides baseline information for planning vector control programme relevant to reduction of malaria transmission in the coastal areas of Nigeria.