Population structuring of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) on a microgeographic scale

Author(s)

Multini, Laura Cristina ^[1] ; da Silva de Souza, Ana Leticia ^[2] ; Marrelli, Mauro Toledo ^{[1, 2]} ; Bruno Wilke, Andre Barretto ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Publ Hlth, Dept Epidemiol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo Inst Trop Med, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Miami, Miller Sch Med, Dept Publ Hlth Sci, Miami, FL 33136 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 14, n. 8 AUG 2 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Aedes albopictus is an invasive mosquito species that has spread globally and can transmit several arboviruses, including dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. The species was first reported in Brazil in 1986 and since then has been found in 24 of the 27 Brazilian states, often in peri-urban environments close to highly urbanized areas. To date, population genetics of this important mosquito in areas in the city of Sao Paulo has not been investigated. In this study, we used 12 microsatellite loci to investigate the microgeographic population genetics of Ae. albopictus, which is present throughout the city of Sao Paulo. All the analyses revealed structuring of the populations studied, divided into two groups with restricted gene flow between them and without evidence of isolation by distance. We propose two hypotheses to explain the results: (i) low dispersal capability-limited gene flow between populations is due to the low dispersal capability inherent to Ae. albopictus; and (ii) multiple introductions-the structure identified here results from multiple introductions, which led to different dispersal patterns within the city and more genetic heterogeneity. The ability of Ae. albopictus to invade new areas and expand may explain why these mosquito populations appear to be well established and thriving in the city of Sao Paulo. (AU)

• 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: 15/23386-7 - Microevolution studies in Anopheles cruzii (Diptera: Culicidae), using wing geometric morphometric and microsatellite loci
• Grantee: Laura Cristina Multini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate