{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,26]],"date-time":"2026-08-26T20:21:09Z","timestamp":1787775669143,"version":"build-2784847793"},"reference-count":25,"publisher":"Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,1]],"date-time":"2026-01-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767225600000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["lww.com","ovid.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]},"abstract":"\n Background & objectives:<\/jats:title>\n \n Malaria remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with\n Anopheles gambiae<\/jats:italic>\n complex, comprising\n An. gambiae s.s., An. coluzzii<\/jats:italic>\n , and\n An. arabiensis<\/jats:italic>\n , as the principal vectors. These sibling species exhibit diverse ecological and behavioural traits that significantly influence malaria transmission dynamics. Understanding their host preferences, blood-meal sources, and gonotrophic cycles is vital for designing effective vector control strategies. This study investigated the feeding behaviour, blood meal sources, and exophilic tendencies of\n An. gambiae<\/jats:italic>\n complex mosquitoes in Igbo-Ora and Idere communities, southwestern Nigeria.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods:<\/jats:title>\n Indoor-resting mosquitoes were collected using pyrethroid spray collections (PSC) during the rainy season of 2022 over three months. Specimens were identified morphologically and confirmed molecularly. Data on abdominal conditions, feeding behaviour, gonotrophic cycles, and blood-meal sources were analysed. Human blood index (HBI) and exophily degree (DE) were calculated using standard protocols.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results:<\/jats:title>\n \n A total of 298\n An. gambiae<\/jats:italic>\n complex mosquitoes were examined. Fully-fed mosquitoes accounted for 77.2%, while 12.4% were gravid, and 5.4% were half-gravid.\n An. coluzzii<\/jats:italic>\n in Idere exhibited the highest feeding rate (84.6%), followed by\n An. arabiensis<\/jats:italic>\n in Igbo-Ora (77.8%). The gonotrophic cycle was longer in Idere (5-6 days) compared to Igbo-Ora (3-4 days). Blood-meal analysis of 421 specimens identified humans as the predominant host (45.8%), with mixed blood meals indicating opportunistic feeding. The highest HBI was recorded in\n An. gambiae<\/jats:italic>\n (0.69) in Idere and\n An. arabiensis<\/jats:italic>\n (0.96) in Igbo-Ora.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Interpretation & conclusion:<\/jats:title>\n \n The findings reveal significant ecological and behavioural variability within the\n An. gambiae<\/jats:italic>\n complex, including their strong anthropophilic tendencies and opportunistic feeding behaviour. These characteristics underscore the species\u2019 pivotal role in malaria transmission and highlight the need for localized, species-specific vector control interventions targeting feeding and reproductive behaviours.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.4103\/jvbd.jvbd_23_25","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,19]],"date-time":"2025-07-19T13:00:09Z","timestamp":1752930009000},"page":"131-137","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/lww.0000000000001000","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Host preferences, bloodmeal sources, and gonotrophic cycles of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes in rural South West Nigeria"],"prefix":"10.4103","volume":"63","author":[{"given":"Florence","family":"Ajayi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Cell Biology and Genetics Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kolade","family":"Ibrahim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Entomology Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Victor","family":"Oguayo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Cell Biology and Genetics Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Chiaka","family":"Anumudu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Cellular Parasitology Programme, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Aline","family":"Noutcha","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Entomology & Pest Management Unit, Department of Animal & Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"276","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,27]]},"reference":[{"issue":"1","key":"R1-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"665","DOI":"10.1038\/s42003-021-02192-0","article-title":"Compensatory mechanisms in resistant Anopheles gambiae AcerKis and KdrKis neurons modulate insecticide-based mosquito control","volume":"4","author":"Perrier","year":"2021","journal-title":"Communications Biology"},{"key":"R2-20260302","article-title":"Tool to assess the impact of human resources for health investments on HIV, TB and malaria services and health outcomes 2022"},{"issue":"3","key":"R3-20260302","first-page":"573","article-title":"Beyond nature and nurture: Phenotypic plasticity in blood-feeding behaviour of Anopheles gambiae s.s. when humans are not readily accessible","volume":"80","author":"Lef\u00e8vre","year":"2009","journal-title":"American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene"},{"key":"R4-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.1186\/1475-2875-3-13","article-title":"Statics and dynamics of malaria infection in Anopheles mosquitoes","volume":"3","author":"Smith","year":"2004","journal-title":"Malaria Journal"},{"key":"R5-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"161","DOI":"10.1186\/s12936-024-04982-3","article-title":"The behaviour of adult Anopheles gambiae, subSaharan Africa\u2019s principal malaria vector","volume":"23","author":"Lindsay","year":"2024","journal-title":"Malaria Journal"},{"key":"R6-20260302","first-page":"43","article-title":"Entomological indices of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato at a rural community in south-west Nigeria","volume":"46","author":"Noutcha","year":"2009","journal-title":"Journal Vector Borne Disease"},{"key":"R7-20260302","article-title":"Anopheles gambiae complex: Molecular forms and Occurrence of the KDR Gene in Rural Southwestern Nigeria 2011","author":"Noutcha"},{"issue":"2","key":"R8-20260302","first-page":"58","article-title":"Ownership and utilisation of insecticide-treated mosquito nets among caregivers of under-five children and pregnant women in a rural community in Southwest Nigeria","volume":"55","author":"Adebayo","year":"2014","journal-title":"Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene"},{"issue":"1","key":"R9-20260302","first-page":"53","article-title":"Epidemiology of malaria in children living at Igbo-Ora, Southwestern Nigeria","volume":"10","author":"Nwuba","year":"2008","journal-title":"Ife Journal of Science"},{"key":"R11-20260302","article-title":"A supplement to the Anophelinae of Africa south of the Sahara (Afrotropical region)","author":"Gilies","year":"1987"},{"issue":"1","key":"R13-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1093\/jmedent\/25.1.9","article-title":"Blood meal identification by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tested on Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) in Kenya","volume":"25","author":"Beier","year":"1988","journal-title":"Journal of Medical Entomology"},{"issue":"9","key":"R14-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"706","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1365-3156.1998.00282.x","article-title":"Seasonal density sporozoite rates and entomological inoculation rates of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus in high altitude sugarcane growing zone in western Kenya","volume":"3","author":"Shililu","year":"1998","journal-title":"Tropical Medicine & International Health"},{"key":"R15-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"515","DOI":"10.1080\/00034983.1996.11813077","article-title":"Resting habits of Anopheles arabiensis in the Awash River valley of Ethiopia","volume":"90","author":"Ameneshewa","year":"1993","journal-title":"Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology"},{"issue":"1","key":"R16-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"28","DOI":"10.1046\/j.0269-283x.2002.00337.x","article-title":"Malaria transmission risk variations derived from different agricultural practices in an irrigated area of northern Tanzania","volume":"16","author":"Ijumba","year":"2002","journal-title":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology"},{"issue":"3","key":"R18-20260302","first-page":"11","article-title":"Abdominal status and blood meal preference of Anopheles gambiae complexes in some communities of Dutse Local Government Area, Northwestern Nigeria","volume":"9","author":"Abubakar","year":"2023","journal-title":"Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied and Science"},{"issue":"9","key":"R19-20260302","first-page":"84","article-title":"Molecular characterisation, seasonality, gonotrophic stages and parity status of malaria vectors in a rural community","volume":"14","author":"Obi","year":"2021","journal-title":"New York Science Journal"},{"key":"R20-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"60","DOI":"10.1186\/s12936-024-04871-9","article-title":"Sibling species of the major malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae, display divergent preferences for aquatic breeding sites in southern Nigeria","volume":"23","author":"Ebhodaghe","year":"2024","journal-title":"Malaria Journal"},{"issue":"2","key":"R21-20260302","first-page":"28","article-title":"Gonotrophic cycle duration, fecundity and parity of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes during an extended period of dry weather in a semi-arid area in Baringo County, Kenya","volume":"1","author":"Albert","year":"2014","journal-title":"International Journal of Mosquito Research"},{"issue":"1","key":"R22-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7674","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-022-11917-y","article-title":"Molecular identification and wing variations among malaria vectors in Akure North Local Government Area, Nigeria","volume":"12","author":"Akeju","year":"2022","journal-title":"Scientific Reports"},{"issue":"1","key":"R23-20260302","first-page":"61","article-title":"Prevalence of mosquito species and malaria transmission in three riverine communities in Bali district, Taraba State, Nigeria","volume":"14","author":"Lamidi","year":"2019","journal-title":"IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences"},{"issue":"08","key":"R24-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1351","DOI":"10.3855\/jidc.13429","article-title":"Genetic identity, human blood indices, and sporozoite rates of malaria vectors in Gaa-Bolorunduro, Kwara State, Nigeria","volume":"16","author":"Obembe","year":"2022","journal-title":"The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries"},{"issue":"6","key":"R25-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"981","DOI":"10.4314\/jasem.v22i6.23","article-title":"Differential behaviour of endophilic Anopheles mosquitoes in rooms occupied by tobacco smokers and non-smokers in two Nigerian villages","volume":"22","author":"Obembe","year":"2018","journal-title":"Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management"},{"issue":"1","key":"R26-20260302","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2915.2011.00955.x","article-title":"Early biting rhythm in the Afro-tropical vector of malaria, Anopheles arabiensis, and challenges for its control in Ethiopia","volume":"26","author":"Yohannes","year":"2012","journal-title":"Medical and Veterinary Entomology"},{"issue":"4","key":"R27-20260302","first-page":"164","article-title":"Species composition and temporal distribution of mosquito populations in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria","volume":"2","author":"Okorie","year":"2014","journal-title":"Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies"},{"issue":"3","key":"R28-20260302","first-page":"290","article-title":"A Survey of man-biting mosquito species in a tropical rainforest community in the South Eastern Nigeria","volume":"38","author":"Irikannu","year":"2020","journal-title":"Environment and Ecology"}],"container-title":["Journal of Vector Borne Diseases"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.ovid.com\/10.4103\/jvbd.jvbd_23_25","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,26]],"date-time":"2026-08-26T19:38:15Z","timestamp":1787773095000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.ovid.com\/10.4103\/jvbd.jvbd_23_25"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]},"references-count":25,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4103\/jvbd.jvbd_23_25","relation":{},"ISSN":["0972-9062"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0972-9062","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2025-02-04","name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2025-07-10","name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}]}}