Study traces origin of mutant London underground mosquito to Middle East
Study Traces Origins of the London Underground Mosquito
A recent study reveals that the London Underground mosquito, Culex molestus, likely originated over a millennium ago in the Middle East, evolving to adapt to urban environments long before the construction of the Tube. Researchers analyzed approximately 350 DNA samples, concluding that C. molestus first thrived above ground, possibly linked to early agricultural societies in Egypt. The adaptability of this species to confined spaces and artificial habitats was not a recent phenomenon but rather a result of pre-existing traits that enabled its survival. This research has implications for understanding urban adaptation and the potential health risks posed by this mosquito, which has been known to transmit diseases like the West Nile virus across Eurasia and North America.
Study traces origin of mutant London underground mosquito to Middle East https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/london-underground-mosquitoes-middle-east-origin-b2693877.html