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Fungi from Anopheles darlingi Root, 1926, larval breeding sites in the Brazilian Amazon

Summary

Researchers discovered and identified 206 fungal strains from 30 different types living in mosquito breeding waters in the Amazon. These fungi come from three main groups, with the most common fungi being Paraconiothyrium, Fusarium, and Microsphaeropsis. The findings show that natural water habitats with vegetation and fish support more diverse fungi than human-altered environments. Some of these fungi could potentially be used to control malaria-carrying mosquitoes naturally.

Background

Fungi present in mosquito breeding waters have been scarcely investigated despite their importance in mosquito ecology and potential for biological control. Anopheles darlingi is the primary malaria vector in the Amazon region, yet fungi associated with its breeding sites remain largely unexplored compared to bacterial studies.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the diversity of cultivable fungi present in the aquatic habitats of Anopheles darlingi larvae in two malaria-endemic municipalities in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, filling a considerable knowledge gap about fungi in these breeding sites.

Results

Representatives of 26 morphotypes were identified at the genus level, with fungi belonging to three phyla: Ascomycota (80.6%), Basidiomycota (11.7%), and Mucoromycota (2.4%). The most prevalent genera were Paraconiothyrium (11.2%), Fusarium (9.2%), and Microsphaeropsis (9.2%). Site C1 showed the highest fungal diversity with 21 taxa, while site S1 showed the lowest diversity with only seven taxa.

Conclusion

This study reveals rich and diverse fungal communities in natural freshwater breeding sites compared to anthropogenically influenced sites. Native fungal isolates identified may offer superior alternatives for biological control of malaria vectors, as they are adapted to local environmental conditions and mosquito populations.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Observational Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39636874, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312624
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