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Giraldo D, McMeniman CJ. Quantification of Anopheles gambiae Olfactory Preferences under Semi-Field Conditions. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2024; 2024:108304. [PMID: 37612143 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot108304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Anopheles gambiae is a highly anthropophilic (human-preferring) malaria vector that prefers to blood feed frequently and selectively on humans. This mosquito species exhibits a strong innate olfactory preference to seek out human scent over other animals, and certain humans over others-key behavioral traits with the potential to drive heterogeneity in biting risk and malaria transmission. Here, we describe the application of a large-scale, semi-field system in Zambia for the quantification of An. gambiae olfactory preferences toward whole body odor sourced from individual humans. We detail steps for modifying one-person canvas tents to duct odor from sleeping humans into a central, semi-field flight cage arena that is securely screened. Using this system, we describe a protocol to perform two-choice olfactory preference assays with two human volunteers using laboratory-reared An. gambiae and odor-guided thermotaxis assays that leverage infrared video tracking to quantify mosquito landings on heated targets baited with each body odor sample. This multichoice olfactory preference assay has the potential to be applied with expanded cohorts of humans to define the chemosensory basis of An. gambiae host preference and interindividual differences in human attractiveness to mosquitoes and to be used to quantify the effects of protective measures such as personal and spatial repellents on mosquito landing behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Giraldo
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Conor J McMeniman
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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2
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Cavagna A, Giardina I, Gucciardino MA, Iacomelli G, Lombardi M, Melillo S, Monacchia G, Parisi L, Peirce MJ, Spaccapelo R. Characterization of lab-based swarms of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes using 3D-video tracking. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8745. [PMID: 37253765 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34842-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito copulation is a crucial determinant of its capacity to transmit malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites as well as underpinning several highly-anticipated vector control methodologies such as gene drive and sterile insect technique. For the anopheline mosquitoes responsible for African malaria transmission, mating takes place within crepuscular male swarms which females enter solely to mate. However, the mechanisms that regulate swarm structure or that govern mate choice remain opaque. We used 3D-video tracking approaches and computer vision algorithms developed for the study of other complex biological systems to document swarming behavior of a lab-adapted Anopheles gambiae line in a lab-based setting. By reconstructing trajectories of individual mosquitoes lasting up to 15.88 s, in swarms containing upwards of 200 participants, we documented swarm-like behavior in both males and females. In single sex swarms, encounters between individuals were fleeting (< 0.75 s). By contrast, in mixed swarms, we were able to detect 79 'brief encounters' (> 0.75 s; < 2.5 s) and 17 longer-lived encounters (> 2.5 s). We also documented several examples of apparent male-male mating competition. These findings represent the first steps towards a more detailed and quantitative description of swarming and courtship behavior in one of the most important vectors of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cavagna
- CNR-ISC (National Research Council - Institute for Complex Systems), Rome, Italy
- Physics Department University Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- INFN Unità Di Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Giardina
- CNR-ISC (National Research Council - Institute for Complex Systems), Rome, Italy
- Physics Department University Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- INFN Unità Di Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gloria Iacomelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Max Lombardi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefania Melillo
- CNR-ISC (National Research Council - Institute for Complex Systems), Rome, Italy.
- Physics Department University Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giulia Monacchia
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Leonardo Parisi
- CNR-ISC (National Research Council - Institute for Complex Systems), Rome, Italy
- Physics Department University Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Matthew J Peirce
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberta Spaccapelo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
- Centro Universitario Di Ricerca Sulla Genomica Funzionale (C.U.R.Ge.F), CIRM Italian Malaria Network, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
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3
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Poda SB, Buatois B, Lapeyre B, Dormont L, Diabaté A, Gnankiné O, Dabiré RK, Roux O. No evidence for long-range male sex pheromones in two malaria mosquitoes. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:1676-1686. [DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01869-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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4
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Sirisopa P, Sukkanon C, Bangs MJ, Nakasathien S, Hii J, Grieco JP, Achee NL, Manguin S, Chareonviriyaphap T. Scientific achievements and reflections after 20 years of vector biology and control research at the Pu Teuy mosquito field research station, Thailand. Malar J 2022; 21:44. [PMID: 35164748 PMCID: PMC8842738 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04061-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Additional vector control tools are needed to supplement current strategies to achieve malaria elimination and control of Aedes-borne diseases in many settings in Thailand and the Greater Mekong Sub-region. Within the next decade, the vector control community, Kasetsart University (KU), and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation must take full advantage of these tools that combine different active ingredients with different modes of action. Pu Teuy Mosquito Field Research Station (MFRS), Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University (KU), Thailand was established in 2001 and has grown into a leading facility for performing high-quality vector biology and control studies and evaluation of public health insecticides that are operationally relevant. Several onsite mosquito research platforms have been established including experimental huts, a 40-m long semi-field screening enclosure, mosquito insectary, field-laboratory, and living quarters for students and researchers. Field research and assessments ranged from 'basic' investigations on mosquito biology, taxonomy and genetics to more 'applied' studies on responses of mosquitoes to insecticides including repellency, behavioural avoidance and toxicity. In the course of two decades, 51 peer-reviewed articles have been published, and 7 masters and 16 doctoral degrees in Entomology have been awarded to national and international students. Continued support of key national stakeholders will sustain MFRS as a Greater Mekong Subregion centre of excellence and a resource for both insecticide trials and entomological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patcharawan Sirisopa
- grid.9723.f0000 0001 0944 049XDepartment of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900 Thailand
| | - Chutipong Sukkanon
- grid.412867.e0000 0001 0043 6347Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160 Thailand
| | - Michael J. Bangs
- grid.9723.f0000 0001 0944 049XDepartment of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900 Thailand
| | - Sutkhet Nakasathien
- grid.9723.f0000 0001 0944 049XDepartment of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900 Thailand
| | - Jeffrey Hii
- grid.1011.10000 0004 0474 1797College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, North Queensland, QLD 4810 Australia
| | - John P. Grieco
- grid.131063.60000 0001 2168 0066Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
| | - Nicole L. Achee
- grid.131063.60000 0001 2168 0066Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
| | - Sylvie Manguin
- grid.463853.f0000 0004 0384 4663HSM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, IMT, Montpellier, France
| | - Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap
- grid.9723.f0000 0001 0944 049XDepartment of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900 Thailand
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5
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Pala ZR, Ernest M, Sweeney B, Jeong YJ, Pascini TV, E Silva TLA, Vega-Rodríguez J. Beyond cuts and scrapes: plasmin in malaria and other vector-borne diseases. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:147-159. [PMID: 34649773 PMCID: PMC8758534 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium and other vector-borne pathogens have evolved mechanisms to hijack the mammalian fibrinolytic system to facilitate infection of the human host and the invertebrate vector. Plasmin, the effector protease of fibrinolysis, maintains homeostasis in the blood vasculature by degrading the fibrin that forms blood clots. Plasmin also degrades proteins from extracellular matrices, the complement system, and immunoglobulins. Here, we review some of the mechanisms by which vector-borne pathogens interact with components of the fibrinolytic system and co-opt its functions to facilitate transmission and infection in the host and the vector. Further, we discuss innovative strategies beyond conventional therapeutics that could be developed to target the interaction of vector-borne pathogens with the fibrinolytic proteins and prevent their transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zarna Rajeshkumar Pala
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20852
| | - Medard Ernest
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20852
| | - Brendan Sweeney
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20852
| | - Yeong Je Jeong
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20852
| | - Tales Vicari Pascini
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20852
| | - Thiago Luiz Alves E Silva
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20852
| | - Joel Vega-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20852.,Correspondence: (J. Vega-Rodríguez)
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Baeshen R. Swarming Behavior in Anopheles gambiae (sensu lato): Current Knowledge and Future Outlook. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:56-66. [PMID: 34617121 PMCID: PMC8755986 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Effective management of insect disease vectors requires a detailed understanding of their ecology and behavior. In Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) (Diptera: Culicidae) mating occurs during swarming, but knowledge of their mating behavior under natural conditions is limited. Mosquitoes mate in flight over specific landmarks, known as swarm markers, at particular locations. Swarms consist of males; the females usually approach the swarm and depart following copulation. The number of mating pairs per swarm is closely associated with swarm size. The shape and height of swarm markers vary and may depend on the environmental conditions at the swarm's location. Male-male interactions in mosquito swarms with similar levels of attractive flight activity can offer a mating advantage to some individuals. Flight tone is used by mosquitoes to recognize the other sex and choose a desirable mate. Clarifying these and other aspects of mosquito reproductive behavior can facilitate the development of population control measures that target swarming sites. This review describes what is currently known about swarming behavior in Anopheles gambiae s.l., including swarm characteristics; mating within and outside of swarms, insemination in females, and factors affecting and stimulating swarming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowida Baeshen
- Faculty of Sciences, Biology Department, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Nignan C, Poda BS, Sawadogo SP, Maïga H, Dabiré KR, Gnankine O, Tripet F, Roux O, Diabaté A. Local adaptation and colonization are potential factors affecting sexual competitiveness and mating choice in Anopheles coluzzii populations. Sci Rep 2022; 12:636. [PMID: 35022496 PMCID: PMC8755725 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04704-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The mating behaviour of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae complex is an important aspect of its reproduction biology. The success of mosquito release programmes based on genetic control of malaria crucially depends on competitive mating between both laboratory-reared and wild individuals, and populations from different localities. It is known that intrinsic and extrinsic factors can influence the mating success. This study addressed some of the knowledge gaps about factors influcencing mosquito mating success. In semi-field conditions, the study compared the mating success of three laboratory-reared and wild allopatric An. coluzzii populations originating from ecologically different locations in Burkina Faso. Overall, it was found that colonization reduced the mating competitiveness of both males and females compared to that of wild type individuals. More importly, females were more likely to mate with males of their own population of origin, be it wild or colonised, suggesting that local adaptation affected mate choice. The observations of mating behaviour of colonized and local wild populations revealed that subtle differences in behaviour lead to significant levels of population-specific mating. This is the first study to highlight the importance of local adaptation in the mating success, thereby highlighting the importance of using local strains for mass-rearing and release of An. coluzzii in vector control programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Nignan
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale Et Appliquée, Unité de Formation Et de Recherche en Sciences de La Vie Et de La Terre (UFR-SVT), Université Ouaga I Pr. Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
| | - Bèwadéyir Serge Poda
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale Et Appliquée, Unité de Formation Et de Recherche en Sciences de La Vie Et de La Terre (UFR-SVT), Université Ouaga I Pr. Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Hamidou Maïga
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Kounbobr Roch Dabiré
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Olivier Gnankine
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale Et Appliquée, Unité de Formation Et de Recherche en Sciences de La Vie Et de La Terre (UFR-SVT), Université Ouaga I Pr. Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Frédéric Tripet
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Olivier Roux
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Abdoulaye Diabaté
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
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8
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Harmonic convergence coordinates swarm mating by enhancing mate detection in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24102. [PMID: 34916521 PMCID: PMC8677761 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03236-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The mosquito Anopheles gambiae is a major African malaria vector, transmitting parasites responsible for significant mortality and disease burden. Although flight acoustics are essential to mosquito mating and present promising alternatives to insecticide-based vector control strategies, there is limited data on mosquito flight tones during swarming. Here, for the first time, we present detailed analyses of free-flying male and female An. gambiae flight tones and their harmonization (harmonic convergence) over a complete swarm sequence. Audio analysis of single-sex swarms showed synchronized elevation of male and female flight tones during swarming. Analysis of mixed-sex swarms revealed additional 50 Hz increases in male and female flight tones due to mating activity. Furthermore, harmonic differences between male and female swarm tones in mixed-sex swarms and in single-sex male swarms with artificial female swarm audio playback indicate that frequency differences of approximately 50 Hz or less at the male second and female third harmonics (M2:F3) are maintained both before and during mating interactions. This harmonization likely coordinates male scramble competition by maintaining ideal acoustic recognition within mating pairs while acoustically masking phonotactic responses of nearby swarming males to mating females. These findings advance our knowledge of mosquito swarm acoustics and provide vital information for reproductive control strategies.
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9
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Nambunga IH, Msugupakulya BJ, Hape EE, Mshani IH, Kahamba NF, Mkandawile G, Mabula DM, Njalambaha RM, Kaindoa EW, Muyaga LL, Hermy MRG, Tripet F, Ferguson HM, Ngowo HS, Okumu FO. Wild populations of malaria vectors can mate both inside and outside human dwellings. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:514. [PMID: 34620227 PMCID: PMC8499572 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04989-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild populations of Anopheles mosquitoes are generally thought to mate outdoors in swarms, although once colonized, they also mate readily inside laboratory cages. This study investigated whether the malaria vectors Anopheles funestus and Anopheles arabiensis can also naturally mate inside human dwellings. METHOD Mosquitoes were sampled from three volunteer-occupied experimental huts in a rural Tanzanian village at 6:00 p.m. each evening, after which the huts were completely sealed and sampling was repeated at 11:00 p.m and 6 a.m. the next morning to compare the proportions of inseminated females. Similarly timed collections were done inside local unsealed village houses. Lastly, wild-caught larvae and pupae were introduced inside or outside experimental huts constructed inside two semi-field screened chambers. The huts were then sealed and fitted with exit traps, allowing mosquito egress but not entry. Mating was assessed in subsequent days by sampling and dissecting emergent adults caught indoors, outdoors and in exit traps. RESULTS Proportions of inseminated females inside the experimental huts in the village increased from approximately 60% at 6 p.m. to approximately 90% the following morning despite no new mosquitoes entering the huts after 6 p.m. Insemination in the local homes increased from approximately 78% to approximately 93% over the same time points. In the semi-field observations of wild-caught captive mosquitoes, the proportions of inseminated An. funestus were 20.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: ± 2.8) outdoors, 25.2% (95% CI: ± 3.4) indoors and 16.8% (± 8.3) in exit traps, while the proportions of inseminated An. arabiensis were 42.3% (95% CI: ± 5.5) outdoors, 47.4% (95% CI: ± 4.7) indoors and 37.1% (CI: ± 6.8) in exit traps. CONCLUSION Wild populations of An. funestus and An. arabiensis in these study villages can mate both inside and outside human dwellings. Most of the mating clearly happens before the mosquitoes enter houses, but additional mating happens indoors. The ecological significance of such indoor mating remains to be determined. The observed insemination inside the experimental huts fitted with exit traps and in the unsealed village houses suggests that the indoor mating happens voluntarily even under unrestricted egress. These findings may inspire improved vector control, such as by targeting males indoors, and potentially inform alternative methods for colonizing strongly eurygamic Anopheles species (e.g. An. funestus) inside laboratories or semi-field chambers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail H. Nambunga
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Betwel J. Msugupakulya
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- School of Life Science and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Sciences & Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel E. Hape
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Issa H. Mshani
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Najat F. Kahamba
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Life Science and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Sciences & Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Gustav Mkandawile
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
| | - Daniel M. Mabula
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
| | - Rukiyah M. Njalambaha
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel W. Kaindoa
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- School of Life Science and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Sciences & Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Park Town, Republic of South Africa
| | - Letus L. Muyaga
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
| | - Marie R. G. Hermy
- Disease Vector Group, Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Frederic Tripet
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK
| | - Heather M. Ferguson
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Halfan S. Ngowo
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Fredros O. Okumu
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Life Science and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Sciences & Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Park Town, Republic of South Africa
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Dada N, Jupatanakul N, Minard G, Short SM, Akorli J, Villegas LM. Considerations for mosquito microbiome research from the Mosquito Microbiome Consortium. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:36. [PMID: 33522965 PMCID: PMC7849159 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00987-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, there has been increasing interest in mosquito microbiome research, leading to large amounts of data on different mosquito species, with various underlying physiological characteristics, and from diverse geographical locations. However, guidelines and standardized methods for conducting mosquito microbiome research are lacking. To streamline methods in mosquito microbiome research and optimize data quality, reproducibility, and comparability, as well as facilitate data curation in a centralized location, we are establishing the Mosquito Microbiome Consortium, a collaborative initiative for the advancement of mosquito microbiome research. Our overall goal is to collectively work on unraveling the role of the mosquito microbiome in mosquito biology, while critically evaluating its potential for mosquito-borne disease control. This perspective serves to introduce the consortium and invite broader participation. It highlights the issues we view as most pressing to the community and proposes guidelines for conducting mosquito microbiome research. We focus on four broad areas in this piece: (1) sampling/experimental design for field, semi-field, or laboratory studies; (2) metadata collection; (3) sample processing, sequencing, and use of appropriate controls; and (4) data handling and analysis. We finally summarize current challenges and highlight future directions in mosquito microbiome research. We hope that this piece will spark discussions around this area of disease vector biology, as well as encourage careful considerations in the design and implementation of mosquito microbiome research. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nsa Dada
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Natapong Jupatanakul
- Protein-Ligand Engineering and Molecular Biology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Khlong Neung, Thailand
| | - Guillaume Minard
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Ecologie Microbienne, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Sarah M Short
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA
| | - Jewelna Akorli
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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11
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Wang G, Vega-Rodríguez J, Diabate A, Liu J, Cui C, Nignan C, Dong L, Li F, Ouedrago CO, Bandaogo AM, Sawadogo PS, Maiga H, Alves e Silva TL, Pascini TV, Wang S, Jacobs-Lorena M. Clock genes and environmental cues coordinate Anopheles pheromone synthesis, swarming, and mating. Science 2021; 371:411-415. [PMID: 33479155 PMCID: PMC9854397 DOI: 10.1126/science.abd4359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Anopheles mating is initiated by the swarming of males at dusk followed by females flying into the swarm. Here, we show that mosquito swarming and mating are coordinately guided by clock genes, light, and temperature. Transcriptome analysis shows up-regulation of the clock genes period (per) and timeless (tim) in the head of field-caught swarming Anopheles coluzzii males. Knockdown of per and tim expression affects Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles stephensi male mating in the laboratory, and it reduces male An. coluzzii swarming and mating under semifield conditions. Light and temperature affect mosquito mating, possibly by modulating per and/or tim expression. Moreover, the desaturase gene desat1 is up-regulated and rhythmically expressed in the heads of swarming males and regulates the production of cuticular hydrocarbons, including heptacosane, which stimulates mating activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guandong Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Joel Vega-Rodríguez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Abdoulaye Diabate
- Institut de Recherche en Science de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Jingnan Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunlai Cui
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Charles Nignan
- Institut de Recherche en Science de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Ling Dong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | - Hamidou Maiga
- Institut de Recherche en Science de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Thiago Luiz Alves e Silva
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Tales Vicari Pascini
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Sibao Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Corresponding author. (S.W.); (M.J.-L.)
| | - Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Corresponding author. (S.W.); (M.J.-L.)
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Male swarming aggregation pheromones increase female attraction and mating success among multiple African malaria vector mosquito species. Nat Ecol Evol 2020; 4:1395-1401. [PMID: 32747772 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-1264-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating behavioural data indicate that aggregation pheromones may mediate the formation and maintenance of mosquito swarms. However, chemical cues possibly luring mosquitoes to swarms have not been adequately investigated, and the likely molecular incitants of these complex reproductive behaviours remain unknown. Here we show that males of the important malaria vector species Anopheles arabiensis and An. gambiae produce and release aggregation pheromones that attract individuals to the swarm and enhance mating success. We found that males of both species released significantly higher amounts of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone (acetoin), 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (sulcatone), octanal, nonanal and decanal during swarming in the laboratory. Feeding males with stable-isotope-labelled glucose revealed that the males produced these five compounds. A blend composed of synthetic analogues to these swarming odours proved highly attractive to virgin males and females of both species under laboratory conditions and substantially increased mating in five African malaria vectors (An. gambiae, An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis, An. merus and An. funestus) in semi-field experiments. Our results not only narrow a conspicuous gap in understanding a vital aspect of the chemical ecology of male mosquitoes but also demonstrate fundamental roles of rhythmic and metabolic genes in the physiology and behavioural regulation of these vectors. These identified aggregation pheromones have great potential for exploitation against these highly dangerous insects. Manipulating such pheromones could increase the efficacy of malaria-vector control programmes.
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Nignan C, Niang A, Maïga H, Sawadogo SP, Poda BS, Gnankine O, Dabiré KR, Tripet F, Diabaté A. Comparison of swarming, mating performance and longevity of males Anopheles coluzzii between individuals fed with different natural fruit juices in laboratory and semi-field conditions. Malar J 2020; 19:173. [PMID: 32375825 PMCID: PMC7201624 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03248-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It is assumed that malaria vectors feed on locally available nectar sources to obtain energy. Sugar feeding is energetically critical for the Anopheles male swarming and mating activities. However, little is known about the impact of local nectar feeding on male physiological development and its consequences on male mosquito life traits in the malaria control context. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of local fruit juices on the life traits of males Anopheles coluzzii. Methods Swarming characteristics (number of males in swarm, number of mating pairs, and swarm duration) in semi-field conditions; mating rate and longevity in a laboratory setting were compared between males An. coluzzii fed exclusively with mango, papaya or banana juices. The trophic preference was investigated in semi-field conditions. Results The results of this study showed that in the laboratory, mosquitoes fed with papaya juices lived on average longer (10 days) than those fed with banana or mango juices (5 days) and had higher a mating rate (53%) than those fed with banana juice (40%). In the semi-field, the swarm size of mosquitoes fed with banana juice (85 males) was larger than that of mosquitoes fed with mango juice (60 males). The number of mating pairs formed from banana-fed male swarms (17 mating pairs) was higher than that formed from mango-fed male swarm (8 mating pairs). There was no difference in swarming duration between male treatments. Male mosquitoes had a preference for papaya and banana juices. Conclusions The results indicate that the origin of plant-derived feeding is an important factor in the survival and reproduction of mosquitoes. This calls for further investigations of chemical contents of nectars and their impact on the physiological development of mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Nignan
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. .,Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliqué/UFR‑SVT/Université Joseph KI - ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
| | - Abdoulaye Niang
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Hamidou Maïga
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Bèwadéyir Serge Poda
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliqué/UFR‑SVT/Université Joseph KI - ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Olivier Gnankine
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliqué/UFR‑SVT/Université Joseph KI - ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Frédéric Tripet
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Abdoulaye Diabaté
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
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14
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Poda SB, Nignan C, Gnankiné O, Dabiré RK, Diabaté A, Roux O. Sex aggregation and species segregation cues in swarming mosquitoes: role of ground visual markers. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:589. [PMID: 31842944 PMCID: PMC6916054 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3845-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mating swarm segregation in closely related insect species may contribute to reproductive isolation. Visual markers are used for swarm formation; however, it is unknown whether they play a key role in swarm location, species segregation and sex aggregation. METHODS Using two sympatric closely related species of the Anopheles gambiae complex, An. coluzzii and An. gambiae (s.s.), we investigated in both laboratory and semi-field conditions (i) whether males of the two species use visual markers (black cloths) to locate their swarm; and (ii) whether the presence/absence and size of the marker may differentially affect swarm characteristics. We also investigated whether conspecific virgin females use these markers to join male swarm sites. RESULTS We showed that males of the two species used visual markers but in different ways: An. coluzzii swarm right above the marker whereas An. gambiae (s.s.) locate their swarm at a constant distance of 76.4 ± 0.6 cm from a 20 × 20 cm marker in the laboratory setup and at 206 ± 6 cm from a 60 × 60 cm marker in the semi-field setup. Although increased marker size recruited more mosquitoes and consequently increased the swarm size in the two species, An. coluzzii swarms flew higher and were stretched both vertically and horizontally, while An. gambiae (s.s.) swarms were only stretched horizontally. Virgin females displayed a swarm-like behavior with similar characteristics to their conspecific males. CONCLUSIONS Our results provided experimental evidence that both An. coluzzii and An. gambiae (s.s.) males use ground visual markers to form and locate their swarm at species-specific locations. Moreover, the marker size differentially affected swarm characteristics in the two species. Our results also showed that virgin females displayed a swarm-like behavior. However, these "swarms" could be due to the absence of males in our experimental conditions. Nevertheless, the fact that females displayed these "swarms" with the same characteristics as their respective males provided evidence that visual markers are used by the two sexes to join mating spots. Altogether, this suggests that visual markers and the way species and sexes use them could be key cues in species segregation, swarm location and recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge B Poda
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliquée, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR-SVT), Université Ouaga I Pr. Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Charles Nignan
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliquée, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR-SVT), Université Ouaga I Pr. Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Olivier Gnankiné
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie Fondamentale et Appliquée, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR-SVT), Université Ouaga I Pr. Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Roch K Dabiré
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdoulaye Diabaté
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Olivier Roux
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. .,MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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