Low genetic diversity in Wolbachia-Infected Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Brazil and Argentina

Abstract

SUMMARYCulex quinquefasciatus is a vector of human pathogens, including filarial nematodes and several viruses. Although its epidemiological relevance is known to vary across geographical regions, an understanding of its population genetic structure is still incipient. In light of this, we evaluated the genetic diversity of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. pipiens x Cx. quinquefasciatus hybrids collected from nine localities in Brazil and one site in Argentina. We used mitochondrial genes cox1 and nd4, along with the coxA and wsp genes of the maternally-inherited Wolbachia endosymbiont. The nd4 fragment was invariant between samples, whilst cox1 exhibited four haplotypes that separated two types of Cx. quinquefasciatus, one clustered in southern Brazil. Low sequence diversity was generally observed, being discussed. Both Brazilian and Argentinian mosquitoes were infected with a single Wolbachia strain. As reported in previous studies with these populations, cox1 and nd4 diversity is not congruent with the population structure revealed by nuclear markers or alar morphology. Future Cx. quinquefasciatus research should, if possible, evaluate mtDNA diversity in light of other markers.

COI barcode versus morphological identification of Culex ( Culex ) (Diptera: Culicidae) species: a case study using samples from Argentina and Brazil

“…The last classification review, on a worldwide sense, of the subgenus was done more than 80 years ago ( Edwards 1932 ). During this period, a lot of taxonomic studies carried out that diminish the number of unknown life stages of mosquito species, new molecular markers proved to be informative tools ( Miller et al 1996 , Mukabayire et al 1999 , Hebert et al 2003a , Chen et al 2004 , Yao et al 2010 , Dai et al 2012 , Morais et al 2012 ) and stronger statistical methodologies have been developed that engender trust in morphologically based classifications (NJ, parsimony, maximum likelihood, bayesian inference). A natural classification will be achieved when further phylogenetic studies include integrated morphological and molecular character treatments, as many group members as possible and broader sampling of each species is undertaken to evaluate inherent polymorphism.…”

Pterodon emarginatus oleoresin-based nanoemulsion as a promising tool for Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) control

“…The cycle of the disease begins during blood repast, when the infected female of the vector transmit W. bancrofti larvae to human host. These larvae migrate to lymphatic system and develop to adult stage, causing dilatation of vessels [1, 10]. This disease is also known as elephantiasis and it is recognized as a neglected disease associated to poverty [11, 12] with high prevalence in tropical and sub-tropical countries [13].…”

Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae): aspectos da manipulação genética e estudos populacionais utilizando marcadores microssatélites

“…Após o processo de cópula, a fêmea possuirá esperma suficiente para fertilizar todos os ovos que produzirá durante seu ciclo de vida (Forattini 2002). Após o acasalamento, as fêmeas irão buscar alimento e podem alimentar-se de sucos e néctares vegetais, além de buscar repasto sanguíneo essencial para desenvolvimento dos ovários e para maturação dos oócitos (Figura 2) (Gomes et al 2003 (Morais et al 2012). …”

“…Morais et al (2010) (Morais et al 2010(Morais et al , 2012 Mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of major human disease agents . Anopheles, Culex, and Aedes genera include vectors for the three major groups of human pathogens: parasites of the Plasmodium genus, which cause malaria, filarids of the Wuchereria and Brugia genera, which cause filariasis and a variety of arboviruses, including dengue, yellow fever and West Nile (Atkinson & Michel 2002).…”