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Vinogradov DD, Sinev AY, Tiunov AV. Predators as Control Agents of Mosquito Larvae in Micro-Reservoirs (Review). Inland Water Biol 2022; 15:39-53. [PMID: 35311016 PMCID: PMC8917826 DOI: 10.1134/s1995082922010138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The article reviews predators that are able to control populations of mosquito larvae (Culicidae) in phytotelmata and their anthropogenic analogs. The spectrum of mosquito larva consumers in micro-reservoirs is listed. It includes flatworms, crustaceans, arachnids, insects, vertebrates, and carnivorous plants. The biology and practical use of the two most effective biological control agents, predatory mosquitoes Toxorhynchites and copepods, are considered in more detail. Prospects of invertebrate predators as controlling agents for the mosquito larvae in micro-reservoirs in temperate climate zones are briefly discussed. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1134/S1995082922010138.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. D. Vinogradov
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - A. V. Tiunov
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Donald CL, Siriyasatien P, Kohl A. Toxorhynchites Species: A Review of Current Knowledge. Insects 2020; 11:E747. [PMID: 33143104 DOI: 10.3390/insects11110747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Mosquitoes are well known to spread diseases when they take a blood meal. However, not all species feed on blood but instead get their nourishment from other sources. One such species is Toxorhynchites, which are a paradox among mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are entirely non-blood feeding and, as a result, are not considered to be harmful to human health. Indeed, since their larvae feed on the larvae of pest species and other aquatic insects, they are a potential counter measure against the spread of mosquito-transmitted diseases. Their effective application has been hampered due to a lack of understanding and inconsistencies in their descriptions. This review aims to build upon previously published information and summarize recent findings to support their use in combating mosquito-transmitted infections. Abstract The increasing global incidence of mosquito-borne infections is driving a need for effective control methods. Vector populations have expanded their geographical ranges, while increasing resistance to chemical insecticides and a lack of effective treatments or vaccines has meant that the development of vector control methods is essential in the fight against mosquito-transmitted diseases. This review will focus on Toxorhynchites, a non-hematophagous mosquito genus which is a natural predator of vector species and may be exploited as a biological control agent. Their effectiveness in this role has been strongly debated for many years and early trials have been marred by misinformation and incomplete descriptions. Here, we draw together current knowledge of the general biology of Toxorhynchites and discuss how this updated information will benefit their role in an integrated vector management program.
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Abstract
The antennae of mosquitoes are model systems for acoustic sensation, in that they obey general principles for sound detection, using both active feedback mechanisms and passive structural adaptations. However, the biomechanical aspect of the antennal structure is much less understood than the mechano-electrical transduction. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, we measured the fluorescent properties of the antennae of two species of mosquito—Toxorhynchites brevipalpis and Anopheles arabiensis—and, noting that fluorescence is correlated with material stiffness, we found that the structure of the antenna is not a simple beam of homogeneous material, but is in fact a rather more complex structure with spatially distributed discrete changes in material properties. These present as bands or rings of different material in each subunit of the antenna, which repeat along its length. While these structures may simply be required for structural robustness of the antennae, we found that in FEM simulation, these banded structures can strongly affect the resonant frequencies of cantilever-beam systems, and therefore taken together our results suggest that modulating the material properties along the length of the antenna could constitute an additional mechanism for resonant tuning in these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- B D Saltin
- 1 Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde , 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1XW , UK
| | - Y Matsumura
- 2 Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute of the University of Kiel , Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel , Germany
| | - A Reid
- 1 Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde , 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1XW , UK
| | - J F Windmill
- 1 Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde , 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1XW , UK
| | - S N Gorb
- 2 Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute of the University of Kiel , Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel , Germany
| | - J C Jackson
- 1 Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde , 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1XW , UK
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Williams T, Farfán JL, Mercado G, Valle J, Abella A, Marina CF. Efficacy of Spinosad Granules and Lambda-Cyhalothrin Contrasts with Reduced Performance of Temephos for Control of Aedes spp. in Vehicle Tires in Veracruz, Mexico. Insects 2019; 10:E242. [PMID: 31390780 PMCID: PMC6723916 DOI: 10.3390/insects10080242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The present study examined the efficacy of λ-cyhalothrin, pyriproxyfen and granular formulations of spinosad and temephos for the control of mosquito larvae present in experimental tires in Veracruz State, Mexico in the period 2015-2016. Both λ-cyhalothrin and spinosad granules provided control of larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus and Culex spp. in used tires in Veracruz State, Mexico, over a 9-12 week period, although numbers of Culex were low. The numbers of Aedes larvae + pupae in pyriproxyfen and temephos-treated tires were slightly less than half of the untreated control tires, probably a result the pupicidal characteristics of pyriproxyfen and possible resistance in the case of temephos. Spinosad was less harmful to predatory Toxorhynchites spp. than λ-cyhalothrin or temephos. The reduced susceptibility to temephos in Aedes populations was confirmed at five other sites in Veracruz. Public health authorities should consider incorporating spinosad as a larvicide in coastal areas at a high risk of dengue, chikungunya and Zika outbreaks in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Williams
- Instituto de Ecología AC (INECOL), Xalapa, Veracruz 91073, Mexico.
| | - Juan L Farfán
- Instituto de Ecología AC (INECOL), Xalapa, Veracruz 91073, Mexico
| | - Gabriel Mercado
- Instituto de Ecología AC (INECOL), Xalapa, Veracruz 91073, Mexico
| | - Javier Valle
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Tapachula, Chiapas 30700, Mexico
| | - Antonio Abella
- Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio-FMVZ, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Carlos F Marina
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública-INSP, Tapachula, Chiapas 30700, Mexico
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Schiller A, Allen M, Coffey J, Fike A, Carballo F. Updated Methods for the Production of Toxorhynchites rutilus septentrionalis (Diptera, Culicidae) for Use as Biocontrol Agent Against Container Breeding Pest Mosquitoes in Harris County, Texas. J Insect Sci 2019; 19:5368163. [PMID: 30843583 PMCID: PMC6407668 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iez011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The complex biologies of pestiferous mosquito species complicate the development of a single, across the board effective control measure. The use of traditional biological control through predators, parasitoids, and microbes, though part of a multimodal, integrated pest management approach, is scant in current standard mosquito control operations. At this time, traditional, whole organism mosquito biocontrol agents are not commercially available, and if their integration into a release program is desired, they must be developed in-house. The aim of our program was to incorporate releasing natural enemies to disrupt and suppress the target pest mosquito's population by matching the agent with the target's biology, before or concurrent to pesticide use. A current focus is suppressing peridomestic, container breeders of high medical significance, such as Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), (Diptera, Culicidae) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera, Culicidae), through larval reduction with augmentative releases of laboratory-reared, native mosquito assassins Toxorhynchites rutilus septentrionalis (Dyar & Knab). When raised in communal settings, Tx. rutilus' aggressive feeding behavior and cannibalistic tendencies require an extreme loss tolerance in adult production rates. In addition, offering prey mosquitoes exclusively as Tx. rutilus' juvenile food extends larval development by multiple days. While this may be desirous in the wild, it proves inefficient during production. Here, we provide an individual rearing method as well as an alternative diet protocol, which maximizes the adult yield while achieving quick development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Schiller
- Biological Control Mosquito Initiative, DRAC/MAP Harris County Precinct, Commissioner Cagle, Louetta Road, Spring TX
| | - Mary Allen
- Biological Control Mosquito Initiative, DRAC/MAP Harris County Precinct, Commissioner Cagle, Louetta Road, Spring TX
| | - Jewel Coffey
- Biological Control Mosquito Initiative, DRAC/MAP Harris County Precinct, Commissioner Cagle, Louetta Road, Spring TX
| | - Arielle Fike
- Biological Control Mosquito Initiative, DRAC/MAP Harris County Precinct, Commissioner Cagle, Louetta Road, Spring TX
| | - Franklin Carballo
- Biological Control Mosquito Initiative, DRAC/MAP Harris County Precinct, Commissioner Cagle, Louetta Road, Spring TX
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Alkhaibari AM, Maffeis T, Bull JC, Butt TM. Combined use of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium brunneum, and the mosquito predator, Toxorhynchites brevipalpis, for control of mosquito larvae: Is this a risky biocontrol strategy? J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 153:38-50. [PMID: 29425967 PMCID: PMC5890878 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes transmit several diseases, which are of global significance (malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Zika). The geographic range of mosquitoes is increasing due to climate change, tourism and trade. Both conidial and blastospore formulations of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium brunneum ARSEF 4556, are being investigated as mosquito larvicides. However, concerns have been raised over possible non-target impacts to arthropod mosquito predators such as larvae of Toxorhynchites brevipalpis which feed on larvae of mosquito vector species. Laboratory-based, small container bioassays showed, that T. bevipalpis larvae are susceptible to relatively high concentrations (i.e. ≥107 spores ml-1) of inoculum with blastospores being significantly more virulent than conidia. At lower concentrations (e.g. <107 spores ml-1), it appears that M. brunneum complements T. brevipalpis resulting in higher control than if either agent was used alone. At a concentration of 105 spores ml-1, the LT50 of for conidia and blastospores alone was 5.64 days (95% CI: 4.79-6.49 days) and 3.89 days (95% CI: 3.53-4.25 days), respectively. In combination with T. brevipalpis, this was reduced to 3.15 days (95% CI: 2.82-3.48 days) and 2.82 days (95% CI: 2.55-3.08 days). Here, combined treatment with the fungus and predator was beneficial but weaker than additive. At 107 and 108 blastospores ml-1, mosquito larval mortality was mostly due to the fungal pathogen when the predator was combined with blastospores. However, with conidia, the effects of combined treatment were additive/synergistic at these high concentrations. Optimisation of fungal concentration and formulation will reduce: (1) risk to the predator and (2) application rates and costs of M. brunneum for control of mosquito larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer M Alkhaibari
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, United Kingdom; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Tabuk University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thierry Maffeis
- Centre for Nanohealth, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - James C Bull
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Tariq M Butt
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, United Kingdom.
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Westby KM, Juliano SA. No detectable role for predators mediating effects of aquatic habitat size and permanence on populations and communities of container‐dwelling mosquitoes. Ecol Entomol 2017; 42:439-448. [PMID: 28959086 PMCID: PMC5612503 DOI: 10.1111/een.12405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
General theory from aquatic ecology predicts that smaller aquatic habitats have shorter hydroperiods favouring species that are better resource competitors and complete development quickly. Larger habitats are predicted to have longer hydroperiods enabling longer-lived predators to persist. Habitats with long hydroperiods and predators are predicted to favour slower-developing, predator resistant species, rather than competitive species.In a field experiment, we manipulated independently habitat size and hydroperiod in water-filled containers, to test these hypotheses about processes structuring aquatic communities. We used human-made containers that are dominated by mosquitoes that vary in desiccation resistance, competitive ability, and predation resistance.Habitat size and drying had significant effects on abundances of larvae of the common species in these communities. There was sorting of species by habitat size and by drying, with species that are better competitors relatively more abundant in smaller, more ephemeral habitats, and predator resistant, slower-developing species relatively more abundant in larger or permanently flooded habitats. There were no detectable effects of habitat size or drying on the dominant predator.Habitat size and its interaction with drying affected inputs of eggs to containers. Habitat size also affected relative abundances of the two dominant species in the egg population.Although habitat size and hydroperiod significantly affected composition of these communities, these impacts did not appear to be mediated through effects on predator abundance. Species specific differences in habitat size and drying regime preferences, and habitat-dependent larval performance appear to be the main forces shaping these communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M. Westby
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
61790-4120
- Corresponding author: School of Biological Sciences, Illinois
State University, Campus Box 4120, Normal, IL 61790, Phone: (309) 438-5278, Fax:
(309) 438-3722,
| | - Steven A. Juliano
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
61790-4120
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Soghigian J, Valsdottir LR, Livdahl TP. A parasite's modification of host behavior reduces predation on its host. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:1453-1461. [PMID: 28261457 PMCID: PMC5330890 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasite modification of host behavior is common, and the literature is dominated by demonstrations of enhanced predation on parasitized prey resulting in transmission of parasites to their next host. We present a case in which predation on parasitized prey is reduced. Despite theoretical modeling suggesting that this phenomenon should be common, it has been reported in only a few host-parasite-predator systems. Using a system of gregarine endosymbionts in host mosquitoes, we designed experiments to compare the vulnerability of parasitized and unparasitized mosquito larvae to predation by obligate predatory mosquito larvae and then compared behavioral features known to change in the presence of predatory cues. We exposed Aedes triseriatus larvae to the parasite Ascogregarina barretti and the predator Toxohrynchites rutilus and assessed larval mortality rate under each treatment condition. Further, we assessed behavioral differences in larvae due to infection and predation stimuli by recording larvae and scoring behaviors and positions within microcosms. Infection with gregarines reduced cohort mortality in the presence of the predator, but the parasite did not affect mortality alone. Further, infection by parasites altered behavior such that infected hosts thrashed less frequently than uninfected hosts and were found more frequently on or in a refuge within the microcosm. By reducing predation on their host, gregarines may be acting as mutualists in the presence of predation on their hosts. These results illustrate a higher-order interaction, in which a relationship between a species pair (host-endosymbiont or predator-prey) is altered by the presence of a third species.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Soghigian
- Department of Biology Clark University Worcester MA USA; Department of Environmental Science The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station New Haven CT 06511 USA
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Lin CH, Konradsen F, Schiøler KL. Updated Bionomics of Toxorhynchites aurifluus and Toxorhynchites manicatus in Taiwan. J Am Mosq Control Assoc 2016; 32:152-155. [PMID: 27280354 DOI: 10.2987/moco-32-02-152-155.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The larvae of the genus Toxorhynchites are typically found in sylvatic habitat environments. They have been proposed as potential biocontrol agents against disease vectors such as Aedes, specifically the larvae of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The only 2 species of Toxorhynchites identified in Taiwan are Tx. aurifluus and Tx. manicatus, but there have been no published records of either species since 1984. In January 2014, we identified 2 4th-stage Tx. aurifluus larvae and 2 4th-stage Tx. manicatus larvae in artificial habitats close to dwellings in Guichong village, Pingtung County, Taiwan. Here we update the bionomics of the larvae of both species, including coexisting aquatic fauna, the physicochemical parameters of the larval habitats, and developmental time. We further compare the findings with past records.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hsien Lin
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Building 9, DK-1353 Copenhagen K
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Albeny-Simões D, Murrell EG, Vilela EF, Juliano SA. A multifaceted trophic cascade in a detritus-based system: density-, trait-, or processing-chain-mediated effects? Ecosphere 2015; 6. [PMID: 25844268 DOI: 10.1890/es14-00365.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated three pathways by which predators on an intermediate trophic level may produce a trophic cascade in detritus-based systems. Predators may increase lower trophic levels (bacteria) by reducing density of bacteriovores, by altering behavior of bacteriovores, and by processing living bacteriovores into carcasses, feces, and dissolved nutrients that are substrates for bacteria. We tested these pathways in laboratory experiments with mosquitoes in water-filled containers. Larval Toxorhynchites rutilus prey on larval Aedes triseriatus, which feed on bacteria. Using containers stocked with oak leaf infusion as a bacterial substrate, we compared bacterial productivity at 7 and 14 days for: prey alone; prey with a predator; and prey with predation cues but no predator. Controls contained no larvae, either with predation cues or without cues. Predation cues in the control treatment increased bacterial abundance at 7 days, but this effect waned by 14 days. Aedes triseriatus larvae reduced bacterial abundance significantly at 14 days. Predator cues and real predation both eliminated the negative effect of A. triseriatus on bacterial abundance. Predation cues reduced survivorship of A. triseriatus larvae at 14 days, however this effect was smaller than the effect of real predation. We further tested effects of residues from predation as cues or as detritus in a second experiment in which A. triseriatus were killed at similar rates by: real predators; mechanical damage without the predator and carcasses left as detritus; or mechanical damage and carcasses removed. No prey larvae were killed in controls. Bacterial productivity was greater with real predation than in all other treatments and greater when prey larvae were killed or killed and removed, than in controls. Thus we find evidence that all three pathways contribute to the trophic cascade from T. rutilus to bacteria in tree hole systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Albeny-Simões
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Entomologia, Departmento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa MG 36570-000, Brazil
| | - Ebony G Murrell
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal IL, 61790-4120 USA
| | - Evaldo F Vilela
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Entomologia, Departmento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa MG 36570-000, Brazil
| | - Steven A Juliano
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal IL, 61790-4120 USA
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Zhou X, Rinker DC, Pitts RJ, Rokas A, Zwiebel LJ. Divergent and conserved elements comprise the chemoreceptive repertoire of the nonblood-feeding mosquito Toxorhynchites amboinensis. Genome Biol Evol 2014; 6:2883-96. [PMID: 25326137 PMCID: PMC4224357 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evu231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Many mosquito species serve as vectors of diseases such as malaria and yellow fever, wherein pathogen transmission is tightly associated with the reproductive requirement of taking vertebrate blood meals. Toxorhynchites is one of only three known mosquito genera that does not host-seek and initiates egg development in the absence of a blood-derived protein bolus. These remarkable differences make Toxorhynchites an attractive comparative reference for understanding mosquito chemosensation as it pertains to host-seeking. We performed deep transcriptome profiling of adult female Toxorhynchites amboinensis bodies, antennae and maxillary palps, and identified 25,084 protein-coding “genes” in the de novo assembly. Phylogenomic analysis of 4,266 single-copy “genes” from T. amboinensis, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus robustly supported Ae. aegypti as the closest relative of T. amboinensis, with the two species diverged approximately 40 Ma. We identified a large number of T. amboinensis chemosensory “genes,” the majority of which have orthologs in other mosquitoes. Finally, cross-species expression analyses indicated that patterns of chemoreceptor transcript abundance were very similar for chemoreceptors that are conserved between T. amboinensis and Ae. aegypti, whereas T. amboinensis appeared deficient in the variety of expressed, lineage-specific chemoreceptors. Our transcriptome assembly of T. amboinensis represents the first comprehensive genomic resource for a nonblood-feeding mosquito and establishes a foundation for future comparative studies of blood-feeding and nonblood-feeding mosquitoes. We hypothesize that chemosensory genes that display discrete patterns of evolution and abundance between T. amboinensis and blood-feeding mosquitoes are likely to play critical roles in host-seeking and hence the vectorial capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University
| | - David C Rinker
- Center for Human Genetics Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Ronald Jason Pitts
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Center for Human Genetics Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Laurence J Zwiebel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Center for Human Genetics Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Program in Developmental Biology and Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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