Anopheles (malaria mosquito) is one genus of mosquitoes. There are 400 species of Anopheles mosquitoes, but only 30-40 spread malaria (eg, a "vector") naturally. Anopheles gambiae is best known for its role as a spreader of malarial parasites (eg Plasmodium falciparum) in endemic areas in Africa, whereas Anopheles sundaicus is a spreader of malaria in Asia.
Anopheles is also a vector for the heartworm of Dirofilaria immitis dog.
