Genetic and phenotypic variation of the malaria vector Anopheles atroparvus in southern Europe.

Background There is a growing concern that global climate change will affect the potential for pathogen transmission by insect species that are vectors of human diseases. One of these species is the former European malaria vector, Anophelesatroparvus. Levels of population differentiation of An. atroparvus from southern Europe were characterized as a first attempt to elucidate patterns of population structure of this former malaria vector. Results are discussed in light of a hypotheticalsituation of re-establishment of malaria transmission.