Population Genetic Structure Analysis of Anopheles kleini in the Republic of Korea based on the Mitochondrial COI Gene

Background Anopheles kleini is a competent vector mainly observed in the northern malaria-risk areas of the Republic of Korea (ROK). In this study, the population genetic structure of An. kleini was analyzed for the first time in the ROK using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅰ ( COI ) marker. Methods The genetic structure of 249 An. kleini from three statistically analyzable regions was analyzed. Results Network analysis identified 140 haplotypes organized into three clusters. Cluster Ⅱ was related to An. kleini from eastern Russia and northwestern China. The pairwise genetic distance ( F _ST ) values among the populations showed regional genetic differences between Gangwon-do and Gyeonggi-do. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that individual mosquitoes within the population had a significant influence on the total variation. The neutrality test, using three methods (Fu’s Fs, Fu, and Li’s D, and Fu and Li’s F), indicated that all values were negative, suggesting that An. kleini is an expanding population. An. kleini in Yanggu has a significant difference in genetic distance from other regions. Conclusion Based on molecular epidemiology, the spatial population structure of An. kleini is crucial in understanding the characteristics of An. kleini populations.