Analysis of the population structure of Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex nigripalpus (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes using microsatelllite markers and morphometric geometric analysis of the wing

Author(s)

Gabriela Cristina de Carvalho

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP/CIR)
• Defense date: 2017-11-14

Examining board members

Mauro Toledo Marrelli; Fabio de Almeida; Tamara Nunes de Lima Camara; Eunice Aparecida Bianchi Galati; Paulo Eduardo Martins Ribolla

• Advisor: Mauro Toledo Marrelli

Abstract

Introduction: Urban parks have the potential to harbor and maintain the life cycle of several mosquitoes such as Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex nigripalpus, both are anthropophilic species with epidemiological importance and very abundant in São Paulo city. However, their genetics characteristics are poorly know. Aiming the better understanding of the population structure of these species in microregion, was evaluated the wing shape variation and selected microsatellite loci. In this way, the information obtained can contribute to the understanding of the population situation of these vectors in São Paulo city. Objectives: (1) To evaluate the wing shape variability in populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx.nigripalpus; (2) To evaluate the genetic variability and gene flow in the Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx.nigripalpus populations (3) Test microsatellite markers functionality parameters in Cx. nigripalpus, previously used successfully in other Culex species. Material and Methods: Were studied, five populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus and seven population of Cx. nigripalpus collected in urban parks in São Paulo city. Discriminant analysis was made to evaluate the wing shape patterns, such as Canonical variate analysis, cross validated test and Neghbor-joninin dendrogram using Morpho J and Past softwares, were perfomed to understand the size and shape of the right wing in these populations. For the study of genetic structuring, there were tested 12 pairs of microsatellite loci in Cx. quinquefasciatus samples and 33 pairs of microsatellite loci in Cx. nigripalpus samples. Results: The wing shape patterns in Cx. quinquefasciatus population were homogeneous, showing a preserved character in this population, however, has been tenuous differences in the more sylvatic population. The same pattern was observed in Cx. nigripalpus populations and was observed substructuring in the Shangrilá population. From the tested primers, 12 were functional and amplified consistently in the all five Cx. quinquefasciatus population and for Cx. nigripalpus, six primers were amplified. The results suggest both species having low genetic structure, moderate gene flow and the only populations which are expading were collected in areas that the urbanization is increasing. Discussion: Urbanization processes added to the environmental changes benefit and tend to raise the abundance of these species in anthropized locals. The low genetic structure and alar morphometry indicates the adaptation of these species in São Paulo city, there being segregated due to the environment heterogeneity which the population inhabit. Conclusion: Evidence of low structure between populations studied and signs of expansion in populations of more sylvatic environments indicate that these species are linked to urbanization process (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/18965-2 - Populational analysis of Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex nigripalpus (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes based on microsatellites and wing morphometry
• Grantee: Gabriela Cristina de Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate