Beebe, N. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2023

Aalbo1200: global genetic differentiation and variability of the mosquito Aedes albopictus

The mosquito Aedes albopictus transmits human viruses including dengue and chikungunya and is an extremely successful invasive species expanding into new regions of the world. New tools are needed to complement existing tools to help monitor and control this species. Genomic resources are improving for this species including genome reference sequences, and whole genome sequencing data will help to catalog genetic diversity in this species and further enable genetic analysis. We collected populations of Ae. albopictus from throughout its distribution and generated whole genome sequencing data from population samples. These data will be used to address a number of basic and applied questions for this species. Here, we show genetic differentiation patterns among the tropical and temperate forms, as well as finer scale genetic clustering at the regional and population scale. These data and results will be a valuable resource for further study and tool development for this species.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Modelling the Wolbachia Incompatible Insect Technique: strategies for effective mosquito population elimination

The Wolbachia Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) shows promise as a method for eliminating invasive mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus)(Diptera: Culicidae) and reducing the incidence of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Successful implementation of this biological control strategy relies on high-fidelity separation of male from female insects in mass production systems for inundative release into landscapes. Processes for sex-separating mosquitoes are typically error prone, laborious and IIT programs run the risk of releasing Wolbachia infected females and replacing wild mosquito populations. We introduce a simple Markov Population Process (MPP) model for studying mosquito populations subjected to a Wolbachia-IIT program which exhibit an unstable equilibrium threshold. The model is used to study, in silico, scenarios that are likely to yield a successful elimination result. Our results suggest that elimination is best achieved by releasing males at rates that adapt to the ever-decreasing wild population, thus reducing the risk of releasing Wolbachia-infected females while reducing costs. While very high-fidelity sex-separation is required to avoid establishment, release programs tend to be robust to the release of a small number of Wolbachia-infected females. These findings will inform and enhance the next generation of Wolbachia-IIT control strategies that are already showing great promise in field trials.

zoology↗