1
|
Thabiani Aziz A. Distribution and mitochondrial CO1-based genetic diversity of Aedes aegypti L (Culicidae: Diptera) in Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2023; 30:103566. [PMID: 36748075 PMCID: PMC9898440 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) act as vectors for various pathogens and parasites that affect millions of people worldwide. Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is one of the devastating pests of humans, acting as a key vector of dengue viruses. Therefore, correct identification of this serious pest to determine its distribution is paramount in its management. Morphological identification is usually based on the maturity and quality of the specimens. This can still yield ambiguous results in distinguishing Ae. aegypti species due to limited taxonomic expertise and the presence of cryptic species. In this research, mitochondrial CO1 gene-based identification was adopted to analyze 7 samples, each containing 7 specimens of Ae. aegypti from various localities of Saudi Arabia: Jeddah (A1), Makkah (A2), Al Madinah Al Munawwarah (A4), Jazan (A5), Qunfudah (A6), Yanbu (A8), and Najran (A10). DNA barcoding and maximum likelihood (ML) tree analysis revealed that all 49 species belong to Ae. aegypti and showed high similarity with specimens of this species worldwide.
Collapse
|
2
|
Misbah S, Low VL, Mohd Rahim NF, Jaba R, Basari N, Ya'cob Z, Abu Bakar S. Mitochondrial Diversity of the Asian Tiger Mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Peninsular Malaysia. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:865-873. [PMID: 35178576 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aedes albopictus is one of the main mosquito vectors responsible for transmitting arboviruses to humans and animals. The ability of this mosquito to support virus transmission has been linked to vector competence, which is partly attributed to the genetic disparities in Ae. albopictus population. At present, little is known about the biologically important traits of Ae. albopictus in Malaysia. Thus, the study aims to determine the genetic variation of Ae. albopictus based on the mitochondria-encoded sequences of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). A statistical parsimony network of 253 taxa aligned as 321 characters of the COI gene revealed 42 haplotypes (H1-H42), of which H1 was the most widespread haplotype in Peninsular Malaysia. Three highly divergent haplotypes (H21, H30, and H31) were detected from the northern population. Overall, haplotype and nucleotide diversities were 0.576 and 0.003, respectively, with low genetic differentiation (FST = 0.039) and high gene flow (Nm = 12.21) across all populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzana Misbah
- Biological Security and Sustainability (BioSES) Research Interest Group, Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Van Lun Low
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Farhana Mohd Rahim
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rizzuaeammie Jaba
- Biological Security and Sustainability (BioSES) Research Interest Group, Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Norasmah Basari
- Biological Security and Sustainability (BioSES) Research Interest Group, Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Zubaidah Ya'cob
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sazaly Abu Bakar
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Molecular characterization of Aedes, Culex, Anopheles, and Armigeres vector mosquitoes inferred by mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequence analysis. Biologia (Bratisl) 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-019-00231-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
4
|
Suesdek L. Microevolution of medically important mosquitoes - A review. Acta Trop 2019; 191:162-171. [PMID: 30529448 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This review intends to discuss central issues regarding the microevolution of mosquito (Culicidae) vectors of several pathogens and how this process impacts vector biology, disease transmission, and vector control attempts. On the microevolutionary context, it comparatively discusses the current knowledge on the population genetics of representatives of the genera Aedes, Anopheles and Culex, and comments on insecticide resistance of culicids. It also discusses other biological aspects of culicids that are not usually addressed in microevolutionary studies, such as vectorial competence, endosymbiosis, and wing morphology. One conclusion is that mosquitoes are highly genetically variable, adaptable, fast evolving, and have versatile vectorial competence. Unveiling microevolutionary patterns is fundamental for the design and maintenance of all control programs. Sampling methods for assessing microevolution must be standardized and must follow meaningful guidelines, such as those of "landscape genetics". A good understanding of microevolution requires more than a collection of case studies on population genetics and resistance. Future research could deal not only with the microevolution sensu stricto, but also with evolutionarily meaningful issues, such as inheritable characters, epigenetics, physiological cost-free plasticity, vector immunity, symbiosis, pathogen-mosquito co-evolution and environmental variables. A genotyping panel for seeking adaptive phenotypes as part of the standardization of population genetics methods is proposed. The investigative paradigm should not only be retrospective but also prospective, despite the unpredictability of evolution. If we integrate all suggestions to tackle mosquito evolution, a global revolution to counter vector-borne diseases can be provoked.
Collapse
|
5
|
Morçiçek B, Taskin BG, Doğaç E, Doğaroğlu T, Taskin V. Evidence of natural Wolbachia infections and molecular identification of field populations of Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes in western Turkey. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2018; 43:44-51. [PMID: 29757522 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Establishing reliable risk projection information about the distribution pattern of members of the Culex pipiens complex is of particular interest, as these mosquitoes are competent vectors for certain disease-causing pathogens. Wolbachia, a maternally inherited bacterial symbiont, are distributed in various arthropod species and can induce cytoplasmic incompatibility, i.e., reduced egg hatch, in certain crosses. It is being considered as a tool for population control of mosquito disease vectors. The Aegean region is characterized by highly populated, rural, and agricultural areas and is also on the route of the migratory birds. In this study, a fragment of the 658 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, which includes the barcode region, was employed to differentiate Cx. pipiens complex species found in this region. Moreover, for the first time, the prevalence of Wolbachia endobacteria in these natural populations was examined using PCR amplification of a specific wsp gene. Our results revealed a widespread (more than 90%, n=121) presence of the highly efficient West Nile virus vector Cx. quinquefasciatus in the region. We also found that Wolbachia infection is widespread; the average prevalence was 62% in populations throughout the region. This study provided valuable information about the composition of Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes and the prevalence of Wolbachia infection in these populations in the Aegean region. This information will be helpful in tracking mosquito-borne diseases and designing and implementing Wolbachia-based control strategies in the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Burçin Morçiçek
- Muğla Sıtkı Kocman University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 48100 Kotekli, Muğla, Turkey
| | - Belgin Gocmen Taskin
- Muğla Sıtkı Kocman University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 48100 Kotekli, Muğla, Turkey
| | - Ersin Doğaç
- Koycegiz Vocational School, Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Mugla Sitki Kocman University Mugla, Turkey
| | - Taylan Doğaroğlu
- Ula Vocational School, Department of Bee Breeding, Mugla Sitki Kocman University Mugla, Turkey
| | - Vatan Taskin
- Muğla Sıtkı Kocman University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 48100 Kotekli, Muğla, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Low VL, Tan TK, Prakash BK, Vinnie-Siow WY, Tay ST, Masmeatathip R, Hadi UK, Lim YAL, Chen CD, Norma-Rashid Y, Sofian-Azirun M. Contrasting evolutionary patterns between two haplogroups of Haematobia exigua (Diptera: Muscidae) from the mainland and islands of Southeast Asia. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5871. [PMID: 28724923 PMCID: PMC5517420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05921-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Uncovering the hidden diversity and evolutionary history of arthropods of medico-veterinary importance could have significant implications for vector-borne disease control and epidemiological intervention. The buffalo fly Haematobia exigua is an obligate bloodsucking ectoparasite of livestock. As an initial step towards understanding its population structures and biogeographic patterns, we characterized partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (Cytb) sequences of H. exigua from three distinct geographic regions in Southeast Asia. We detected two distinct mitochondrial haplogroups of H. exigua in our surveyed geographic regions. Haplogroup I is widespread in the Southeast Asian mainland whereas haplogroup II is generally restricted to the type population Java Island. Both haplogroups were detected co-occurring on Borneo Island. Additionally, both haplogroups have undergone contrasting evolutionary histories, with haplogroup I exhibited a high level of mitochondrial diversity indicating a population expansion during the Pleistocene era dating back to 98,000 years ago. However, haplogroup II presented a low level of mitochondrial diversity which argues against the hypothesis of recent demographic expansion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Van Lun Low
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Tiong Kai Tan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Batah Kunalan Prakash
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wei Yin Vinnie-Siow
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sun Tee Tay
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Roungthip Masmeatathip
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen, Thailand
| | - Upik Kesumawati Hadi
- Department of Animal Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chee Dhang Chen
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yusoff Norma-Rashid
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Sofian-Azirun
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Simonato M, Martinez-Sañudo I, Cavaletto G, Santoiemma G, Saltarin A, Mazzon L. High genetic diversity in the Culex pipiens complex from a West Nile Virus epidemic area in Southern Europe. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:150. [PMID: 26979749 PMCID: PMC4791856 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1429-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Culex pipiens complex includes the most widespread mosquito species in the world. Cx. pipiens is the primary vector of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in Europe and North America. Cases of WNV have been recorded in Italy since 1998. In particular, wet areas along the Po River are considered some of the most WNV affected areas in Italy. Here, we analyzed the genetic structure of ten Cx. pipiens populations collected in the last part of the Po River including the Delta area. METHODS We assessed the genetic variability of two mitochondrial markers, cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI) and 2 (COII), for a total of 1200 bp, and one nuclear marker, a fragment of acetylcholinesterase-2 (ace-2), 502 bp long. The effect of the landscape features was evaluated comparing haplotype and nucleotide diversity with the landscape composition. RESULTS The analysis showed a high genetic diversity in both COI and COII gene fragments mainly shared by the populations in the Delta area. The COI-COII network showed that the set of haplotypes found was grouped into three main supported lineages with the higher genetic variability gathered in two of the three lineages. By contrast, ace-2 fragment did not show the same differentiation, displaying alleles grouped in a single clade. Finally, a positive correlation between mitochondrial diversity and natural wetland areas was found. CONCLUSIONS The high mitochondrial genetic diversity found in Cx. pipiens populations from the Po River Delta contrasts with the low variability of inland populations. The different patterns of genetic diversity found comparing mitochondrial and nuclear markers could be explained by factors such as differences in effective population size between markers, sex biased dispersal or lower fitness of dispersing females. Moreover, the correlation between genetic diversity and wetland areas is consistent with ecosystem stability and lack of insecticide pressure characteristic of this habitat. The mtDNA polymorphism found in the Po River Delta is even more interesting due to possible linkages between the mitochondrial lineages and different biting behaviors of the mosquitoes influencing their vector ability of arboviral infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Simonato
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals, & Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Isabel Martinez-Sañudo
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals, & Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Giacomo Cavaletto
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals, & Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Giacomo Santoiemma
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals, & Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Andrea Saltarin
- Istituto Tecnico Agrario "O. Munerati", Via Capello 10, 45010, Sant'Apollinare, RO, Italy
| | - Luca Mazzon
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals, & Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Shaikevich EV, Vinogradova EB, Bouattour A, Gouveia de Almeida AP. Genetic diversity of Culex pipiens mosquitoes in distinct populations from Europe: contribution of Cx. quinquefasciatus in Mediterranean populations. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:47. [PMID: 26818097 PMCID: PMC4730663 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1333-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mosquitoes of the Culex pipiens complex are cosmopolitan, and important vectors of neglected tropical diseases, such as arbovirosis and lymphatic filariasis. Among the complex taxa, Cx. pipiens (with two forms pipiens and molestus) and Cx. quinquefasciatus are the most ubiquitous mosquitoes in temperate and tropical regions respectively. Mosquitoes of this taxa lack of morphological differences between females, but have frank behavioral and physiological differences and have different trophic preferences that influence their vectorial status. Hybridization may change the vectorial capacity of these mosquitoes, increasing vector efficiency and medical importance of resulting hybrids. Methods Culex pipiens s.l. from 35 distinct populations were investigated by the study of mtDNA, symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipientis, nuclear DNA and flanking region of microsatellite CQ11 polymorphism using PCR with diagnostic primers, RFLP analysis and sequencing. Results Six different mitochondrial haplotypes were revealed by sequencing of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and three different Wolbachia (wPip) groups were identified. A strong association was observed between COI haplotypes/groups, wPip groups and taxa; haplogroup A and infection with wPipII appear to be typical for Cx. pipiens form pipiens, haplotype D and infection with wPipIV for form molestus, while haplogroup E, characteristic of Cx. quinquefasciatus, were correlated with wPipI and found in Cx. pipiens sl. from coastal regions of Southern Europe and Mediterranean region. Analysis of microsatellite locus and nuclear DNA revealed hybrids between Cx. pipiens form pipiens and form molestus, as well as between Cx. pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus, in Mediterranean populations, as opposed to Northern Europe. Phylogenetic analysis of COI sequences yielded a tree topology that supported the RFLP analysis with significant bootstrap values for haplotype D and haplogroup E. Conclusions Molecular identification provides the first evidence of the presence of hybrids between Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. pipiens as well as cytoplasmic introgression of Cx. quinquefasciatus into Cx. pipiens as a result of hybridization events in coastal regions of Southern Europe and Mediterranean region. Together with observed hybrids between pipiens and molestus forms, these findings point to the presence of hybrids in these areas, with consequent higher potential for disease transmission. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1333-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena V Shaikevich
- N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, ul. Gubkina 3, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Elena B Vinogradova
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, University Embankment 1, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Ali Bouattour
- Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie et de Microbiologie Vétérinaire, Service d'Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Tunis- Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - António Paulo Gouveia de Almeida
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Medical Parasitology Unit, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal. .,Extraordinary professor at ZRU, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lemos PDS, Monteiro HADO, Castro FC, Lima CPSD, Silva DEAD, Vasconcelos JMD, Oliveira LFD, Silva SPD, Cardoso JF, Vianez Júnior JLDSG, Nunes MRT. Characterization of mitochondrial genome of Haemagogus janthinomys (Diptera: Culicidae). Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2015; 28:50-51. [PMID: 26709451 DOI: 10.3109/19401736.2015.1110793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Haemagogus janthinomys is a mosquito of high importance in public health due its involvement on natural wild cycles of two important arboviruses in the Brazilian Amazon region: Yellow Fever virus (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) and Mayaro virus (Togaviridae, Alphavirus). Here, we have sequenced and described all the mitochondrial genes for the Hg. janthinomys species. The complete coding sequence is14 937 bp long and includes 37 functional genes, of which 13 codes for proteins, 22 for tRNA and 2 for ribosomal subunits. Region A + T (control region) is not presented here. The data should be helpful on further taxonomic and evolutionary studies of this important arbovirus vector.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Poliana da Silva Lemos
- a Center for Technological Innovation, Evandro Chagas Institute/SVS/MS , Ananindeua , Pará , Brazil and
| | | | - Francisco Corrêa Castro
- b Medical Entomology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas Institute/SVS/MS , Ananindeua , Pará , Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Sandro Patroca da Silva
- a Center for Technological Innovation, Evandro Chagas Institute/SVS/MS , Ananindeua , Pará , Brazil and
| | - Jedson Ferreira Cardoso
- a Center for Technological Innovation, Evandro Chagas Institute/SVS/MS , Ananindeua , Pará , Brazil and
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Murugan K, Vadivalagan C, Karthika P, Panneerselvam C, Paulpandi M, Subramaniam J, Wei H, Aziz AT, Alsalhi MS, Devanesan S, Nicoletti M, Paramasivan R, Parajulee MN, Benelli G. DNA barcoding and molecular evolution of mosquito vectors of medical and veterinary importance. Parasitol Res 2015; 115:107-21. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4726-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
11
|
Ashfaq M, Hebert PDN, Mirza JH, Khan AM, Zafar Y, Mirza MS. Analyzing mosquito (Diptera: culicidae) diversity in Pakistan by DNA barcoding. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97268. [PMID: 24827460 PMCID: PMC4036727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although they are important disease vectors mosquito biodiversity in Pakistan is poorly known. Recent epidemics of dengue fever have revealed the need for more detailed understanding of the diversity and distributions of mosquito species in this region. DNA barcoding improves the accuracy of mosquito inventories because morphological differences between many species are subtle, leading to misidentifications. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Sequence variation in the barcode region of the mitochondrial COI gene was used to identify mosquito species, reveal genetic diversity, and map the distribution of the dengue-vector species in Pakistan. Analysis of 1684 mosquitoes from 491 sites in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during 2010-2013 revealed 32 species with the assemblage dominated by Culex quinquefasciatus (61% of the collection). The genus Aedes (Stegomyia) comprised 15% of the specimens, and was represented by six taxa with the two dengue vector species, Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, dominant and broadly distributed. Anopheles made up another 6% of the catch with An. subpictus dominating. Barcode sequence divergence in conspecific specimens ranged from 0-2.4%, while congeneric species showed from 2.3-17.8% divergence. A global haplotype analysis of disease-vectors showed the presence of multiple haplotypes, although a single haplotype of each dengue-vector species was dominant in most countries. Geographic distribution of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus showed the later species was dominant and found in both rural and urban environments. CONCLUSIONS As the first DNA-based analysis of mosquitoes in Pakistan, this study has begun the construction of a barcode reference library for the mosquitoes of this region. Levels of genetic diversity varied among species. Because of its capacity to differentiate species, even those with subtle morphological differences, DNA barcoding aids accurate tracking of vector populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ashfaq
- Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Paul D. N. Hebert
- Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jawwad H. Mirza
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Arif M. Khan
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Yusuf Zafar
- Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - M. Sajjad Mirza
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|