Description:
<jats:p>We describe the current state of knowledge about transposable elements (TEs) in different mosquito species. DNA-based elements (class II elements), non-LTR retrotransposons (class I elements), and MITEs (Miniature Inverted Repeat Transposable Elements) are found in the three genera, <i>Anopheles, Aedes</i> and <i>Culex</i>, whereas LTR retrotransposons (class I elements) are found only in <i>Anopheles</i> and <i>Aedes</i>. Mosquitoes were the first insects in which MITEs were reported; they have several LTR retrotransposons belonging to the <i>Pao</i> family, which is distinct from the <i>Gypsy-Ty3</i> and <i>Copia-Ty1</i> families. The number of TE copies shows huge variations between classes of TEs within a given species (from 1 to 1000), in sharp contrast to <i>Drosophila</i>, which shows only relatively minor differences in copy number between elements (from 1 to 100). The genomes of these insects therefore display major differences in the amount of TEs and therefore in their structure and global composition. We emphasize the need for more population genetic data about the activity of TEs, their distribution over chromosomes and their frequencies in natural populations of mosquitoes, to further the current attempts to develop a transgenic mosquito unable to transmit malaria that is intended to replace the natural populations. </jats:p>