Investigation of polymorphisms of wing geometry and mitocondrial genes in Aedes scapularis.

• Grant number: 10/14479-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2011
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Entomology and Malacology of Parasites and Vectors
• Principal Investigator: Lincoln Suesdek Rocha
• Grantee: Vivian Aparecida Ramos Petersen
• Home Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The mosquito Aedes scapularis belongs to the family Culicidae (Diptera) and presents vectorial capacity for the arbovirus "rocio", "melão", "ilhéus" e da encefalite eqüina venezuelana, as well as for filariasis worms. Despite its medical importance, this species is poorly known concerning its variability and populational structuring. Moreover, it is suspected to actually comprise a cryptic species complex. Taking into account that relation among pathogen/vector/host is ordinarily species-specific, it strongly important to elucidate this taxonomical-evolutionary question. We will investigate if there is any genetic and/or morphological differentiation among three populations of Ae. scapularis and, if affirmative, such differentiation is indicative of cryptic taxa. Populational samples will be collected at the following municipalities: Taubaté (SP), Dourado (SP) and Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Biological markers to be employed here are the cytochrome oxidase subunit-1 mitocondrial gene (COI) and wing geometry. Those markers are traditionally reputed to provide high discriminant resolution in surveys of this nature. We hope that this project can enrich the knowledge on populational structure of Ae. scapularis, about whom the literature is too scarce, in spite of its medical relevance.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PETERSEN, VIVIAN; DEVICARI, MARIANA; SUESDEK, LINCOLN. High morphological and genetic variabilities of Ochlerotatus scapularis, a potential vector of filarias and arboviruses. PARASITES & VECTORS, v. 8, FEB 26 2015. Web of Science Citations: 8.