Biology subjects

Aboagye-Antwi, F.

Publications and source records attributed to Aboagye-Antwi, F..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Ambient humidity and temperature influence physicochemical drift during laboratory storage of field-collected mosquito breeding water

The use of field water for laboratory rearing of mosquitoes could offer a better representation of the natural aquatic environment than laboratory tap or deionised water. For logistical reasons, such water may be stored in the laboratory environment for an extended period, but its stability is poorly documented. This study evaluated the influence of laboratory storage conditions on the kinetics of physicochemical parameters of breeding water collected from a field habitat. To capture within-habitat variability, water was collected from multiple spatial points from a breeding site and transferred into plastic containers for storage under laboratory conditions. Water physicochemical parameters were measured in the field to establish baseline readings, while laboratory measurements were done at 2-3-day intervals over 2 months to evaluate temporal changes. A linear mixed-effects model was fitted to evaluate the determinants of changes in physicochemical parameters under laboratory storage. Most parameters exhibited high stability; however, water temperature increased significantly by an average of [~]1.5 (p= 0.046) relative to the field. Water pH demonstrated a long-term rise over the 2-month storage period with a transient, significant dip of 0.71 units after a week of storage (p< 0.001). Overall, LMM analyses revealed that ambient relative humidity was the strongest statistical predictor of change in all water parameters except pH (p< 0.05). Ambient temperature correlated positively with water temperature and ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) (p<0.002), and negatively with dissolved oxygen (p< 0.002). These results indicate that stored field water is highly sensitive to the laboratory microclimate. Specifically, water temperature, pH, and NH4-N serve as candidate indicators for storage-related physicochemical drift. We recommend the rigorous standardisation of insectary humidity and temperature, and monitoring of water parameters, which are likely relevant for bioassay reproducibility.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2026

A novel qPCR assay to detect the presence of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes

BackgroundAnopheles mosquitoes vector pathogens responsible for more than 600,000 human deaths annually. Ecological studies of these insects are important to guide effective vector-control campaigns and to understand their broader ecological consequences. Molecular ecology methods, particularly qPCR, provide a valuable tool in such studies. By detecting trace DNA of a taxon of interest within mixed or environmental samples, qPCR can facilitate identification of prey taxa of interest in the diets of consumers. However, no protocol for the detection of An. gambiae complex mosquitoes in dietary samples has been available. MethodsWe introduce a new set of qPCR primers (Agam_CO1_F1 and Agam_CO1_R1) and a probe-based assay for detection of Anopheles gambiae-complex mosquitoes, even with short reads common in dietary and environmental samples. The primers were tested in vitro for their specificity and sensitivity, and in silico using Primer-BLAST to assess potential off-target amplification. ResultsThe qPCR primers amplified An. gambiae DNA even at low starting concentrations (5 copies {micro}l-1). The primers did not amplify any non-target DNA in either the in vitro or in silico tests, but consistently amplified An. gambiae complex DNA. The primers can therefore provide reliable tests for the presence or absence of An. gambiae complex in dietary or eDNA samples. ConclusionsThe new qPCR primers should allow advances in research into mosquito ecology by allowing detection of even trace amounts of An. gambiae DNA in dietary and environmental samples. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=72 SRC="FIGDIR/small/707393v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (11K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1fcce3corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@47e5f5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@4a7063org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1188d60_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Characterising a species-rich and understudied tropical insect fauna using DNA barcoding

BackgroundWest Africa has high biodiversity that is relatively understudied, especially for insects. Studies of West African arthropod diversity can therefore help address important questions regarding conservation, ecosystem services, and insecticide use and other species-control interventions in agriculture and disease management. We intensively sampled arthropods in Ghana using complementary trapping methods, generated DNA barcodes, and classified sequences by Barcode Index Numbers (BINs, a species proxy). Using this dataset, we investigate assemblage composition, temporal activity patterns, and the state of regional biodiversity sampling. ResultsSequencing DNA from 95,996 individuals captured using Malaise, yellow pan, pitfall, Heath and Centre for Disease Control (CDC) traps, we identified 10,120 unique BINs. The rate of species accumulation did not approach an asymptote for any taxonomic group or trap type, indicating high biodiversity. The different trap types sampled different subsets of the local community, with greatest similarity between yellow pan and pitfall traps. More insects and species (BINs) were trapped during the day than at night. Our dataset shared more BINs in the Barcode of Life Database with South Africa than with any other country, although this predominantly reflects the limited sampling and DNA sequencing campaigns in Africa. ConclusionsThis study more than doubles the published BINs for West Africa, offering insights into the biodiversity of an ecologically important but understudied taxon and region. Using multiple trap types allowed a more complete assessment of the local arthropod assemblage. The public release of these data will support and stimulate further taxonomic and ecological work in the region.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2024

Trophic Interactions of Anopheles Gambiae Mosquito Larvae in Aquatic Ecosystem: A Metagenomics Approach

BackgroundUnderstanding the trophic interactions of Anopheles gambiae mosquito larvae in aquatic environments is essential for malaria prevention efforts such as in gene drive application. In this study, metagenomics method was employed to explore the feeding behavior and ecological associations of An. gambiae larvae within their aquatic ecosystems. MethodsAnopheles gambiae larvae and their co-existing fauna species were collected from December 2022 to June 2023. DNA from dissected midguts of the co-existing fauna was sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq for diet analysis through a shotgun sequencing approach. ResultsThe study revealed a complex network of trophic interactions in the freshwater habitat, with significant resource sharing between A. gambiae larvae and other filter-feeding species, including various Diptera and non-Dipteran feeders. Contrary to assumptions, predator species did not exhibit exclusive predation on Anopheles larvae, preferring other fauna instead. ConclusionThis study has demonstrated complex trophic interactions among Anopheles gambiae larvae and other organisms in freshwater ecosystems. It has offered essential insights for optimizing vector control strategies, such as in gene drive applications. Additionally, the study has provided valuable information on the aquatic fauna of the study area, which can serve as a baseline for developing a macroinvertebrate identification database for freshwater systems in Ghana. A complementary study that further explores the ecological role of An. gambiae larvae in these freshwater habitats is presented in a subsequent publication.

ecology↗