Linkage map for the Asian tiger mosquito [Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus] based on SSCP analysis of RAPD markers

Population genetics of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, an invasive vector of human diseases

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is currently one of the most threatening invasive species in the world. Native to Southeast Asia, the species has spread throughout the world in the past 30 years and is now present in every continent but Antarctica. Because it was the main vector of recent Dengue and Chikungunya outbreaks, and because of its competency for numerous other viruses and pathogens such as the Zika virus, A. albopictus stands out as a model species for invasive diseases vector studies. A synthesis of the current knowledge about the genetic diversity of A. albopictus is needed, knowing the interplays between the vector, the pathogens, the environment and their epidemiological consequences. Such resources are also valuable for assessing the role of genetic diversity in the invasive success. We review here the large but sometimes dispersed literature about the population genetics of A. albopictus. We first debate about the experimental design of these studies and present an up-to-date assessment of the available molecular markers. We then summarize the main genetic characteristics of natural populations and synthesize the available data regarding the worldwide structuring of the vector. Finally, we pinpoint the gaps that remain to be addressed and suggest possible research directions.

Reproductive Incompatibility Involving Senegalese Aedes aegypti (L) Is Associated with Chromosome Rearrangements

Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue, yellow fever and Zika flaviviruses, consists of at least two subspecies. Aedes aegypti (Aaa) is light in color, has pale scales on the first abdominal tergite, oviposits in artificial containers, and preferentially feeds on humans. Aedes aegypti formosus (Aaf), has a dark cuticle, is restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, has no pale scales on the first abdominal tergite and frequently oviposits in natural containers. Scale patterns correlate with cuticle color in East Africa but not in Senegal, West Africa where black cuticle mosquitoes display a continuum of scaling patterns and breed domestically indoors. An earlier laboratory study did not indicate any pre- or postzygotic barriers to gene flow between Aaa and Aaf in East Africa. However, similar attempts to construct F₁ intercross families between Aaa laboratory strains and Senegal Ae. aegypti (SenAae) failed due to poor F₁ oviposition and low F₂ egg-to-adult survival. Insemination and assortative mating experiments failed to identify prezygotic mating barriers. Backcrosses were performed to test for postzygotic isolation patterns consistent with Haldane’s rule modified for species, like Aedes, that have an autosomal sex determining locus (SDL). Egg-pupal survival was predicted to be low in females mated to hybrid F₁ males but average when a male mates with a hybrid F₁ female. Survival was in fact significantly reduced when females mated to hybrid males but egg-pupal survival was significantly increased when males were mated to hybrid F₁ females. These observations are therefore inconclusive with regards to Haldane’s rule. Basic cytogenetic analyses and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) experiments were performed to compare SenAae strains with the IB12 strain of Aaa that was used for genome sequencing and physical mapping. Some SenAae strains had longer chromosomes than IB12 and significantly different centromeric indices on chromosomes 1 and 3. DAPI staining was used to identify AT-rich regions, chromomycin A3 following pretreatment with barium hydroxide stained for GC-rich regions and stained the ribosomal RNA locus and YOYO-1 was used to test for differential staining. Chromosome patterns in SenAae strains revealed by these three stains differed from those in IB12. For FISH, 40 BAC clones previously physically mapped on Aaa chromosomes were used to test for chromosome rearrangements in SenAae relative to IB12. Differences in the order of markers identified two chromosomal rearrangements between IB12 and SenAae strains. The first rearrangement involves two overlapping pericentric (containing the centromere) inversions in chromosome 3 or an insertion of a large fragment into the 3q arm. The second rearrangement is close to the centromere on the p arm of chromosome 2. Linkage analysis of the SDL and the white-eye locus identified a likely chromosomal rearrangement on chromosome 1. The reproductive incompatibility observed within SenAae and between SenAae and Aaa may be generally associated with chromosome rearrangements on all three chromosomes and specifically caused by pericentric inversions on chromosomes 2 and 3.

Aedes aegypti is one of the best studied mosquito species and it is the principal vector of dengue, Zika, and yellow fever flaviviruses and the Chikungunya alphavirus. Aedes aegypti occurs throughout all tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and previous population genetic studies have shown that the highest genetic diversity occurs in Africa. Aedes aegypti from Senegal, West Africa (SenAae) have a low oviposition rate; those that do oviposit have a low fecundity and poor egg-to-adult survival. Furthermore rearrangements were detected on all three chromosomes in SenAae. These observations are consistent with the presence of at least two cryptic subspecies of Ae. aegypti in Senegal arising from reproductive isolation due to chromosome rearrangements. Genetic control strategies are being considered for the suppression of Ae. aegypti populations worldwide. Barriers to gene flow in African Ae. aegypti populations could compromise these future control efforts.

A linkage map of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) based on cDNA markers

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse), is an important vector of a number of arboviruses, and populations exhibit extreme variation in adaptive traits such as egg diapause, cold hardiness, and autogeny (ability to mature a batch of eggs without blood feeding). The genetic basis of some of these traits has been established, but lack of a high-resolution linkage map has prevented in-depth genetic analyses of the genes underlying these complex traits. We report here on the breeding of 4 F(1) intercross mapping families and the use of these to locate 35 cDNA markers to the A. albopictus linkage map. The present study increases the number of markers on the A. albopictus cDNA linkage map from 38 to 73 and the density of markers from 1 marker/5.7 cM to 1 marker/2.9 cM and adds 9, 16, and 10 markers to the 3 linkage groups, respectively. The overall lengths of the 3 linkage groups are 64.5, 76.5, and 71.6 cM, respectively, for a combined length of 212.6 cM. Despite conservation in the order of most genes among the 4 families and a previous mapping family, we found substantial heterogeneity in the amount of recombination among markers. This was most marked in linkage group I, which varied between 16.7 and 69.3 cM. A map integrating the results from these 4 families with an earlier cDNA linkage map is presented.

Quantitative trait loci determining autogeny and body size in the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)

The majority of mosquito species require a blood meal to stimulate vitellogenesis and subsequent oviposition (anautogeny), but some autogenous individuals complete their first ovarian cycle without a blood meal. Autogeny may be facultative or obligatory. In this study, we selected for an autogenous strain in the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus and examined an F(1) intercross population for quantitative trait loci (QTL) determining the autogeny trait as well as wing length as a proxy for body size. Using composite interval mapping, we identified four QTL for each trait and observed considerable overlap in genome positions between each QTL for autogeny (follicle size) and wing length. Most QTL were minor in magnitude, individually explaining <10% of the phenotypic variation. Alleles from the autogenous parent generally showed a dominance or overdominance effect on both phenotypes. Strong genetic and phenotypic correlations indicate that autogeny and wing length are determined by up to four clusters of tightly linked genes or the potential pleiotropic effects of single genes. Although females from the autogenous strain produced approximately fivefold more eggs following a blood meal than through autogeny, we suggest that the maintenance of alleles for autogeny in natural populations is likely due to balancing selection. Autogeny should be favored under conditions of limited host availability for blood feeding or increased defensive behavior by the host and adequate larval nutrition. Correlation between autogeny and body size may reflect an increased ability for larger females to accumulate sufficient nutrient reserves to support oogenesis without the requirement for a blood meal.

A microsatellite-based linkage map of the honeybee, Apis mellifera L

A linkage map for the honeybee (Apis mellifera) was constructed mainly from the progeny of two hybrid queens (A. m. ligustica x A. m. mellifera). A total of 541 loci were mapped; 474 were microsatellite loci; a few were additional bands produced during PCRs, one of the two rDNA loci (using ITS), the MDH locus, and three sex-linked markers (Q and FB loci and one RAPD band). Twenty-four linkage groups were estimated of which 5 were minute (between 7.1 and 22.8 cM) and 19 were major groups (>76.5 cM). The number of major linkage groups exceeded by three the number of chromosomes of the complement (n = 16). The sum of the lengths of all linkage groups amounts to 4061 cM to which must be added at least 320 cM to link groups in excess, making a total of at least 4381 cM. The length of the largest linkage group I was 630 cM. The average density of markers was 7.5 cM and the average resolution was about one marker every 300 kb. For most of the large groups, the centromeric region was determined genetically, as described in (accompanying article in this issue), using half-tetrad analysis of thelytokous parthenogens in which diploid restoration occurs through central fusion. Several cases of segregation distortion that appreared to result from deleterious recessives were discovered. A low positive interference was also detected.

Genetic differentiation of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), the major dengue vector in Brazil

In 2000, Brazil reported 180,137 cases of dengue, approximately 80% of the total in the Americas. However, little is known about gene flow among the vector populations in Brazil. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to study the genetic structure of Aedes aegypti in 15 populations from five states, with a range extending 2,800 km. An analysis of 47 polymorphic RAPD loci estimated gene flow at the macro- (different states) and micro- (different cities) geographical levels. Genetic polymorphism was high (H(S) = 0.274), and high levels of genetic differentiation existed both between different states (G(ST) = 0.317) and between cities or neighborhoods in each state (G(ST) = 0.085-0.265). These values are higher than those described for any other populations of A. aegypti.

Genomics in pure and applied entomology

Genomics is the study of the structure and function of the genome: the set of genetic information encoded in the DNA of the nucleus and organelles of an organism. It is a dynamic field that combines traditional paths of inquiry with new approaches that would have been impossible without recent technological developments. Much of the recent focus has been on obtaining the sequence of entire genomes, determining the order and organization of the genes, and developing libraries that provide immediate physical access to any desired DNA fragment. This has enabled functional studies on a genome-wide level, including analysis of the genetic basis of complex traits, quantification of global patterns of gene expression, and systematic gene disruption projects. The successful contribution of genomics to problems in applied entomology requires the cooperation of the private and public sectors to build upon the knowledge derived from the Drosophila genome and effectively develop models for other insect Orders.

Mosquito genomes: structure, organization, and evolution

A great deal of information has been accumulated on chromosome numbers and heterochromatin distribution as well as on genome size and organization in the mosquito family Culicidae. A number of trends in genome evolution emerge when these data are reviewed in light of recent cladistic phylogenies of Culicidae and its sister families. Anophelinae have heteromorphic sex chromosomes and a small genome size, and repetitive elements are distributed in a long-period interspersion pattern. In contrast, Culicinae have homomorphic sex chromosomes, and repetitive DNA is organized in a short-period interspersion pattern. There has been a general increase in genome size during the evolution of culicine tribes. The organization of the ancestral culicid genome remains uncertain awaiting studies on genome organization in Chaoboridae-Corethrellidae taxa. The most parsimonious hypothesis for the evolution of sex chromosomes and genome organization in Culicidae would be that homomorphic sex chromosomes and a long-period interspersion pattern was ancestral in lineages leading to Toxorhynchitinae and Culcinae. Larger genomes developed in subsequent culicine lineages through accumulation of short-period interspersed repetitive elements. Heteromorphic sex chromosomes evolved early in the evolution of Anophelinae, and a long-period interspersion pattern was retained. The alternative scenario proposed by Rao and Rai (1987a) is that Culicidae arose from a chaoborid Mochlonyx-like ancestor with heteromorphic sex chromosomes and possibly short-period interspersion. This scenario would require the loss of heteromorphic sex chromosomes in the lineage leading to Toxorhynchitinae and Culicinae and the "shedding" of repetitive elements in the lineage leading to Anophelinae. Several interesting patterns have emerged from studies of C-banding, and the distribution of heterochromatin in Culicidae and phylogenies derived from these studies are supported by the modern cladistic analyses. Recent intensive multipoint linkage map studies suggest that recombination frequencies per genome have remained relatively constant over the course of culicid evolution such that Anophelinae, with a relatively small genome size, has a linkage map of similar size to Aedini. As a consequence, taxa in Anophelinae have higher amounts of recombination per haploid genome size than Culicinae. Although several key questions have yet to be addressed, the Culicidae remain one of the best-studied systems of genome evolution in animals.

Genetic and physical mapping in mosquitoes: molecular approaches

The genetic background of individual mosquito species and populations within those species influences the transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens to humans. Technical advances in contemporary genomics are contributing significantly to the detailed genetic analysis of this mosquito-pathogen interaction as well as all other aspects of mosquito biology, ecology, and evolution. A variety of DNA-based marker types are being used to develop genetic maps for a number of mosquito species. Complex phenotypic traits such as vector competence are being dissected into their discrete genetic components, with the intention of eventually using this information to develop new methods to prevent disease transmission. Both genetic- and physical-mapping techniques are being used to define and compare genome architecture among and within mosquito species. The integration of genetic- and physical-map information is providing a sound framework for map-based positional cloning of target genes of interest. This review focuses on advances in genome-based analysis and their specific applications to mosquitoes.

Population genetics of the yellow fever mosquito in Trinidad: comparisons of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers

Recent development of DNA markers provides powerful tools for population genetic analyses. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA fingerprinting technique that can detect multiple restriction fragments in a single polyacrylamide gel, and thus are potentially useful for population genetic studies. Because AFLP markers have to be analysed as dominant loci in order to estimate population genetic diversity and genetic structure parameters, one must assume that dominant (amplified) alleles are identical in state, recessive (unamplified) alleles are identical in state, AFLP fragments segregate according to Mendelian expectations and that the genotypes of an AFLP locus are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). The HWE assumption is untestable for natural populations using dominant markers. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers segregate as codominant alleles, and can therefore be used to test the HWE assumption that is critical for analysing AFLP data. This study examined whether the dominant AFLP markers could provide accurate estimates of genetic variability for the Aedes aegypti mosquito populations of Trinidad, West Indies, by comparing genetic structure parameters using AFLP and RFLP markers. For AFLP markers, we tested a total of five primer combinations and scored 137 putative loci. For RFLP, we examined a total of eight mapped markers that provide a broad coverage of mosquito genome. The estimated average heterozygosity with AFLP markers was similar among the populations (0.39), and the observed average heterozygosity with RFLP markers varied from 0.44 to 0.58. The average FST (standardized among-population genetic variance) estimates were 0.033 for AFLP and 0.063 for RFLP markers. The genotypes at several RFLP loci were not in HWE, suggesting that the assumption critical for analysing AFLP data was invalid for some loci of the mosquito populations in Trinidad. Therefore, the results suggest that, compared with dominant molecular markers, codominant DNA markers provide better estimates of population genetic variability, and offer more statistical power for detecting population genetic structure.

A dense genetic map of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, covering all chromosomes based on 1018 molecular markers

A dense linkage map was constructed for the silkworm, Bombyx mori, containing 1018 genetic markers on all 27 autosomes and the Z chromosome. Most of the markers, covering approximately 2000 cM, were randomly amplified polymorphic DNAs amplified with primer-pairs in combinations of 140 commercially available decanucleotides. In addition, eight known genes and five visible mutations were mapped. Bombyx homologues of engrailed and invected genes were found to be closely linked, as in Drosophila melanogaster. The average interval between markers was approximately 2 cM, equal to approximately 500 kb. The correspondence of seven linkage groups to counterparts of the conventional linkage map was determined. This map is the first linkage map in insects having a large number of chromosomes (n = 28) that covers all chromosomes without any gaps.