Geometric Morphometric Wing Analysis of Avian Malaria Vector, Culiseta longiareolata, from Two Locations in Algeria

Abstract

The application of geometric morphometry on mosquito wings (Culicidae) is considered a powerful tool for evaluating correlations between the phenotype (e.g., shape) and environmental or genetic variables. However, this has not been used to study the wings of the avian malaria vector, Culiseta longiareolata. Therefore, the goal of this study is to investigate the intra-specific wing variations between male and female Cs. longiareolata populations in different types of larval habitats and climatic conditions in Algeria. A total of 256 Cs. longiareolata mosquito samples were collected from January 2020 to July 2021 in three cities (Annaba, El-Tarf, and Guelma) of northeastern Algeria that have two distinct climatic condition levels (sub-humid and sub-arid) and different types of larval habitats (artificial and natural). Nineteen (19) wing landmarks (LMs) were digitized and analyzed based on geometric morphometry. Our results revealed differences in the wing shape of female and male mosquito populations, indicating sexual dimorphism. Moreover, canonical variance analysis (CVA) showed that factors, such as climatic conditions and type of larval habitats, also affect the wing shape of female and male Cs. longiareolata mosquito populations. Furthermore, the wing shape of male populations was more distinct compared with female populations.

Digital microscope-assisted photography improves the accuracy of mosquito wing measurement

“…With a reliable measurement method for physical attributes of insects, the fitness of an insect population can be evaluated more reliably. For instance, when a new vector control strategy is implemented, the fitness of the targeted vector can be evaluated via measurement performed on key body parts such as the wings [ 11 ]. Besides, the efficacy of population displacement-based vector control strategies (such as the release of genetically or biologically modified mosquitoes) can be evaluated with a reliable wing measurement methods [ 2 ].…”

“…Several wing measurement protocols have been used by different studies [ [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] ]. In general, these techniques involve either the usage of calliper or the photography-based methods [ [11] , [12] , [13] ]. With its long history of application, calliper-based method has been considered as the reference technique to measure physical attributes of insects [ 14 ].…”

“…Otherwise, the specimens may be damaged. On the other hand, photography-based methods were of shorter application history than the calliper method [ 9 , 11 , 12 , 15 , 16 ]. Most photography-based methods rely on an image processing software, such as ImageJ, for onscreen measurement of specimens.…”

“…However, photography-based methods may not provide on-the-spot measurements, and the accuracy of measurements relies heavily on the labelling and recording of photos, as well as the quality of the photos taken, which may only be revealed during the image processing stage. Importantly, there are different wing measuring protocols involving usage of various steps, tools, and software [ 11 , 12 , 16 ]. This may create confusion and challenges for cross reference, comparison and meta-analyses of data collected by different parties.…”

Evaluation of Modern Techniques for Species Identification of Lutzia Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand: Geometric Morphometrics and DNA Barcoding

“…The geometric morphometric (GM) technique is a useful modern approach to investigate differences in wing shape for species classification when some species of mosquitoes are difficult to identify by standard taxonomic methods [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. In addition, this approach has been used to evaluate the morphological changes caused by environmental conditions in insect vector populations [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Previously, this technique was applied to identify cryptic species of the Anopheles dirus and the An.…”