Abstract
Anopheles farauti s.s. is a major malaria vector mosquito in the Solomon Islands (SI) and Papua New Guinea (PNG) which are the most malaria endemic countries among Melanesian region. Two major islands (Guadalcanal and Malaita) of SI, and three inland zones (Dagua, Boiken and Kaboibus) along with two offshore islands (Walis and Kairiru) of PNG were evaluated here. Solomon Sea is acting as a potential barrier for gene flow and maintaining significant genetic differentiation between SI and PNG populations, though little or no genetic structuring was detected within each population. Moreover, SI population showed a status of population expansion, whereas PNG showed a stationary state. Beside this, discrepancy was also noted in timing of population expansion and PNG being older.
This work was collaborated with Dr. Masato Kawabata (International Center for Medical Research, Kobe University), Mr. Hugo Bugoro and Mr. Bobogare Albino (Solomon Island Medical Training and Research Institute, Solomon Islands)
Keywords: Anopheles farauti s.s., cytochrome oxidase II, genetic diversity, gene flow, population history, colonization, Melanesia.
