Microgeographic population structuring of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Author(s)

Bruno Wilke, Andre Barretto ; Wilk-da-Silva, Ramon ; Marrelli, Mauro Toledo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 12, n. 9 SEP 20 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 14

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is one of the species most favored by changes in the environment caused by urbanization. Its abundance increases rapidly in the face of such changes, increasing the risk of disease transmission. Previous studies have shown that mosquito species that have adapted to anthropogenic environmental changes benefit from urbanization and undergo population expansion. In light of this, we used microsatellite markers to explore how urbanization processes may be modulating Ae. aegypti populations collected from three areas with different levels of urbanization in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Specimens were collected at eleven sites in three areas with different degrees of urbanization in the city of Sao Paulo: conserved, intermediate and urbanized. Ten microsatellite loci were used to characterize the populations from these areas genetically. Our findings suggest that as urbanized areas grow and the human population density in these areas increases, Ae. aegypti populations undergo a major population expansion, which can probably be attributed to the species' adaptability to anthropogenic environmental changes. Our findings reveal a robust association between, on the one hand, urbanization processes and densification of the human population and, on the other, Ae. aegypti population structure patterns and population expansion. This indicates that this species benefits from anthropogenic effects, which are intensified by migration of the human population from rural to urban areas, increasing the risk of epidemics and disease transmission to an ever-increasing number of people. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/19117-2 - Paratransgenesis in Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes
• Grantee: André Barretto Bruno Wilke
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/15313-4 - Analysis of the population structure of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) using microsatellite markers and wing morphometry
• Grantee: Mauro Toledo Marrelli
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/01172-5 - Analysis of the population structure of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of parks in the city of São Paulo, using microsatellites and wing morphometry
• Grantee: Ramon Wilk da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master