Abstract
Background: Aedes polynesiensis is the primary vector of Wuchereria bancrofti in the South Pacific and an important vector of dengue virus. An improved understanding of the mosquito population genetics is needed for insight into the population dynamics and dispersal, which can aid in understanding the epidemiology of disease transmission and control of the vector. In light of the potential release of a Wolbachia infected strain for vector control, our objectives were to investigate the microgeographical and temporal population genetic structure of A. polynesiensis within the Society Islands of French Polynesia, and to compare the genetic background of a laboratory strain intended for release into its population of origin. Methods. A panel of eight microsatellite loci were used to genotype A. polynesiensis samples collected in French Polynesia from 2005-2008 and introgressed A. polynesiensis and Aedes riversi laboratory strains. Examination of genetic differentiation was performed using F-statistics, STRUCTURE, and an AMOVA. BAYESASS was used to estimate direction and rates of mosquito movement. Results: F STvalues, AMOVA, and STRUCTURE analyses suggest low levels of intra-island differentiation from multiple collection sites on Tahiti, Raiatea, and Maupiti. Significant pair-wise F STvalues translate to relatively minor levels of inter-island genetic differentiation between more isolated islands and little differentiation between islands with greater commercial traffic (i.e., Tahiti, Raiatea, and Moorea). STRUCTURE analyses also indicate two population groups across the Society Islands, and the genetic makeup of Wolbachia infected strains intended for release is similar to that of wild-type populations from its island of origin, and unlike that of A. riversi. Conclusions: The observed panmictic population on Tahiti, Raiatea, and Moorea is consistent with hypothesized gene flow occurring between islands that have relatively high levels of air and maritime traffic, compared to that of the more isolated Maupiti and Tahaa. Gene flow and potential mosquito movement is discussed in relation to trials of applied autocidal strategies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 80 |
| Journal | Parasites and Vectors |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2012 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors would like to thank the AGTC center at the University of Kentucky for their use of equipment to perform fragment analysis. We also thank Jennifer Pleasant-Brelsfoard for assistance with collecting mosquitoes and Steven Sinkins for providing sequences for the three uncharacterized microsatellite regions. This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health R01-A1067434 and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation #44190. This is publication 12-08-004 of the University of Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station.
Funding
The authors would like to thank the AGTC center at the University of Kentucky for their use of equipment to perform fragment analysis. We also thank Jennifer Pleasant-Brelsfoard for assistance with collecting mosquitoes and Steven Sinkins for providing sequences for the three uncharacterized microsatellite regions. This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health R01-A1067434 and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation #44190. This is publication 12-08-004 of the University of Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| National Institutes of Health (NIH) | R01-A1067434 |
| Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation | 44190 |
Keywords
- Aedes polynesiensis
- French Polynesia
- Genetic structure
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
