Dissecting the genetic basis of differentiation and speciation in the Anopheles gambiae complex

The seven cryptic mosquito species of the Afrotropical Anopheles gambiae complex (Coluzzi et al., 2002, Science, 1415: 8) - and the M and S molecular forms within An. gambiae s.s. (della Torre, et al., 2005, IBMB, 755:69) - represents an emblematic example of fast adaptive radiation and incipient speciation, but the recent origin of this group creates relevant constraints to the reconstruction of its phylogenetic history. This speciation process strongly affects malaria epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa, due to different ecology, behaviour and contribution to malaria transmission of the various species and forms. In fact, among them, some are major human malaria vectors, such as An. gambiae s.s. M and S forms, while others are minor or locally important vectors and non-vectors. Here are summarized the substantial progresses made in the understanding of the inter- and intra-specific diversification in this species-complex and some of the recent efforts to reconstruct their phylogenetic history.