Larval habitat diversity, physicochemical characterization and their effect on the density of larval malaria vectors in the city of Accra, Ghana.

Background: Malaria is more prevalent in rural areas due to fewer mosquito breeding habitats in urban settings. However, urban factors such as irrigated farming, open sewers, and discarded containers create mosquito breeding sites. This study investigates the diversity and distribution of larval habitats and the impact of physicochemical characteristics on the presence and density of s.

A Novel Expression Domain of extradenticle Underlies the Evolutionary Developmental Origin of the Chelicerate Patella.

Neofunctionalization of duplicated gene copies is thought to be an important process underlying the origin of evolutionary novelty and provides an elegant mechanism for the origin of new phenotypic traits. One putative case where a new gene copy has been linked to a novel morphological trait is the origin of the arachnid patella, a taxonomically restricted leg segment. In spiders, the origin of this segment has been linked to the origin of the paralog dachshund-2, suggesting that a new gene facilitated the expression of a new trait.

A novel expression domain of underlies the evolutionary developmental origin of the chelicerate patella.

Neofunctionalization of duplicated gene copies is thought to be an important process underlying the origin of evolutionary novelty and provides an elegant mechanism for the origin of new phenotypic traits. One putative case where a new gene copy has been linked to a novel morphological trait is the origin of the arachnid patella, a taxonomically restricted leg segment. In spiders, the origin of this segment has been linked to the origin of the paralog , suggesting that a new gene facilitated the expression of a new trait.

Biting behaviour, spatio-temporal dynamics, and the insecticide resistance status of malaria vectors in different ecological zones in Ghana.

Background: A significant decrease in malaria morbidity and mortality has been attained using long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying. Selective pressure from these control methods influences changes in vector bionomics and behavioural pattern. There is a need to understand how insecticide resistance drives behavioural changes within vector species.

The highly improved genome of with X and Y pseudochromosomes.

, the black-legged tick, is the principal vector of the Lyme disease spirochete, , and is responsible for most of the ∼470,000 estimated Lyme disease cases annually in the USA. can transmit six additional pathogens of human health significance. Because of its medical importance, was the first tick genome to be sequenced and annotated.

Larval habitat stability and productivity in two sites in Southern Ghana.

Background: Mosquito larval source management (LSM) is a valuable additional tool for malaria vector control. Understanding the characteristics of mosquito larval habitats and its ecology in different land use types can give valuable insight for an effective larval control strategy. This study determined the stability and productivity of potential anopheline larval habitats in two different ecological sites: Anyakpor and Dodowa in southern Ghana.

The resting behavior of malaria vectors in different ecological zones of Ghana and its implications for vector control.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa there is widespread use of long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying to help control the densities of malaria vectors and decrease the incidence of malaria. This study was carried out to investigate the resting behavior, host preference and infection with Plasmodium falciparum of malaria vectors in Ghana in the context of the increasing insecticide resistance of malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: Indoor and outdoor resting anopheline mosquitoes were sampled during the dry and rainy seasons in five sites in three ecological zones [Sahel savannah (Kpalsogo, Pagaza, Libga); coastal savannah (Anyakpor); and forest (Konongo)].

Larval habitat diversity and Anopheles mosquito species distribution in different ecological zones in Ghana.

Background: Understanding the ecology of larval malaria and lymphatic filariasis mosquitoes in a changing environment is important in developing effective control tools or programmes. This study characterized the breeding habitats of Anopheles mosquitoes in rural communities in different ecological zones in Ghana during the dry and rainy seasons.

Methods: The spatio-temporal distribution, species composition, and abundance of larval Anopheles mosquitoes in breeding habitats were studied in five locations in three ecological zones of Ghana.