Barcoding Turkish Culex mosquitoes to facilitate arbovirus vector incrimination studies reveals hidden diversity and new potential vectors

Abstract

As a precursor to planned arboviral vector incrimination studies, an integrated systematics approach was adopted using morphology and DNA barcoding to examine the Culex fauna present in Turkey. The mitochondrial COI gene (658bp) were sequenced from 185 specimens collected across 11 Turkish provinces, as well as from colony material. Although by morphology only 9 species were recognised, DNA barcoding recovered 13 distinct species including: Cx. (Barraudius) modestus, Cx. (Culex) laticinctus, Cx. (Cux.) mimeticus, Cx. (Cux.) perexiguus, Cx. (Cux.) pipiens, Cx. (Cux.) pipiens form molestus, Cx. (Cux.) quinquefasciatus, Cx. (Cux.) theileri, Cx. (Cux.) torrentium, Cx. (Cux.) tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. (Maillotia) hortensis. The taxon formerly identified as Cx. (Neoculex) territans was shown to comprise two distinct species, neither of which correspond to Cx. territans s.s. These include Cx. (Neo.) impudicus and another uncertain species, which may be Cx. (Neo.) europaeus or Cx. (Neo.) martinii (herein=Cx. (Neo.) sp. 1). Detailed examination of the Pipiens Group revealed Cx. pipiens, Cx. pipiens f. molestus and the widespread presence of the highly efficient West Nile virus vector Cx. quinquefasciatus for the first time. Four new country records are reported, increasing the Culex of Turkey to 15 recognised species and Cx. pipiens f. molestus. A new taxonomic checklist is provided, annotated with respective vector competencies for transmission of arboviruses.

Comparative morphological and molecular analysis confirms the presence of the West Nile virus mosquito vector, Culex univittatus, in the Iberian Peninsula

“…univittatus has been documented [14, 15], while specimens from Italy, Greece and Turkey were stated to be Cx. perexiguus [13, 16]. In the context of arboviral circulation [5–7], the correct identification of infected/infectious species is mandatory since all cascade of bionomical and epidemiological studies, as well as control strategies that might be applied, depend on this knowledge.…”

“…Likewise, the sequences of Turkish Cx. perexiguus from GenBank [16] were clearly identified as Cx. perexiguus .…”

“…Recent molecular studies based on the analysis of mitochondrial cox 1 gene confirmed the presence of Cx. perexiguus in Turkey [16]. …”

Mapping the spatial distribution of the Japanese encephalitis vector, Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles, 1901 (Diptera: Culicidae) within areas of Japanese encephalitis risk

“…However, there is little knowledge regarding spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of this species. The distribution of Culex tritaeniorhynchus is widespread across South-East Asia and adjacent tropical areas, extends into the Middle East [33–35] and Africa [36–38], and has recently been reported in Europe [39]. The habitat preferences of this species may vary across its wide range, but it is the environments within the limits of JE enzootic transmission that are of importance when considering locations of JE risk.…”

Zika Virus Disease: The Situation in Turkey and a Review of the Worldwide Outbreak

“…Bu sivrisinek türlerinin ülke-mizde de bulunduğuna ilişkin çalışmalar vardır. Ülkemizdeki sivrisineklerin, 11'i Anopheles, 25'i Aedes, 5'i Culiseta, 2'si Coquillettidia, 15'i Culex, 1'i Orthopodomyia ve 1'i Uranotaenia cinslerine ait olmak üzere toplam 60 türden oluştu-ğu ortaya çıkarılmıştır (46). Ae.…”