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Population genetic structure of Aedes polynesiensis in the Society Islands of French Polynesia: implications for control using a Wolbachia-based autocidal strategy - PubMed

  • ️Sun Jan 01 2012

Population genetic structure of Aedes polynesiensis in the Society Islands of French Polynesia: implications for control using a Wolbachia-based autocidal strategy

Corey L Brelsfoard et al. Parasit Vectors. 2012.

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: FST values, AMOVA, and STRUCTURE analyses suggest low levels of intra-island differentiation from multiple collection sites on Tahiti, Raiatea, and Maupiti. Significant pair-wise FST values 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.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1

Bayesian STRUCTURE analysis of A. polynesiensis collected in the Society Islands of French Polynesia, 2005-2008, the CP strain (laboratory strain harboring an incompatible Wolbachia infection and A. polynesiensis genetic background), and Aedes riversi (AR). Individual multilocus genotypes are plotted as vertical lines, in which the colored segments represent the membership coefficients for each of the three clusters. Individuals were re-ordered according to membership coefficient to each of the three clusters. Collection site location labels are below each STRUCTURE plot for each collection locality.

Figure 2
Figure 2

Neighbor-joining tree base on Nei's standard genetic distance [32]for A. polynesiensis samples collected in the Society Islands, French Polynesia, 2005-2008. Scale bar represents genetic distance of 0.01.

Figure 3
Figure 3

The estimated number of genetic populations according to STRUCTURE from A. polynesiensis samples collected in the Society Islands, 2005-2008. (A) The rate of change of log-likelihood values (delta K) for estimating the number of genetic populations. The highest value for delta K indicates the number of estimated genetic populations. (B) Log-likelihood values for the estimated number of genetic populations. The highest values associated with a plateau in the graph indicate the most likely number of genetic populations.

Figure 4
Figure 4

Linear regression of pair-wise FST values of pooled island samples versus geographic distance for A. polynesiensis samples collected in French Polynesia, 2005-2008, indicating isolation by distance.

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