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Catapano PL, Falcinelli M, Damiani C, Cappelli A, Koukouli D, Rossi P, Ricci I, Napolioni V, Favia G. De novo genome assembly of the invasive mosquito species Aedes japonicus and Aedes koreicus. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:427. [PMID: 37986088 PMCID: PMC10658958 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06048-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, two invasive Aedes mosquito species, Ae. japonicus and Ae. koreicus, are circulating in several European countries posing potential health risks to humans and animals. Vector control is the main option to prevent mosquito-borne diseases, and an accurate genome sequence of these mosquitoes is essential to better understand their biology and to develop effective control strategies. METHODS A de novo genome assembly of Ae. japonicus (Ajap1) and Ae. koreicus (Akor1) has been produced based on a hybrid approach that combines Oxford Nanopore long-read and Illumina short-read data. Their quality was ascertained using various metrics. Masking of repetitive elements, gene prediction and functional annotation was performed. RESULTS Sequence analysis revealed a very high presence of repetitive DNA and, among others, thermal adaptation genes and insecticide-resistance genes. Through the RNA-seq analysis of larvae and adults of Ae. koreicus and Ae. japonicus exposed to different temperatures, we also identified genes showing a differential temperature-dependent activation. CONCLUSIONS The assembly of Akor1 and Ajap1 genomes constitutes the first updated collective knowledge of the genomes of both mosquito species, providing the possibility of understanding key mechanisms of their biology such as the ability to adapt to harsh climates and to develop insecticide-resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo L Catapano
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Monica Falcinelli
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Claudia Damiani
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, CIRM Italian Malaria Network, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Alessia Cappelli
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, CIRM Italian Malaria Network, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Despoina Koukouli
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Paolo Rossi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Irene Ricci
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, CIRM Italian Malaria Network, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Valerio Napolioni
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Guido Favia
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, CIRM Italian Malaria Network, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032, Camerino, Italy.
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Neu A, Fischer K. Indications for rapid evolution of trait means and thermal plasticity in range-expanding populations of a butterfly. J Evol Biol 2021; 35:124-133. [PMID: 34860427 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Currently, poleward range expansions are observed in many taxa, often in response to anthropogenic climate change. At the expanding front, populations likely face cooler and more variable temperature conditions, imposing thermal selection. This may result in changes in trait means or plasticity, the relative contribution of which is not well understood. We, here, investigate evolutionary change in range-expanding populations of the butterfly Pieris mannii, by comparing populations from the core and the newly established northern range under laboratory conditions. We observed both changes in trait means and in thermal reaction norms. Range-expanding populations showed a more rapid development, potentially indicative of counter-gradient variation and an increased cold tolerance compared with core populations. Genotype-environment interactions prevailed in all associated traits, such that the above differences were restricted to cooler environmental conditions. In range-expanding populations, plasticity was decreased in developmental traits enabling relatively rapid growth even under cooler conditions but increased in cold tolerance arguably promoting higher activity under thermally challenging conditions. Notably, these changes must have occurred within a time period of ca. 10 years only. Our results suggest, in line with contemporary theory, that the evolution of plasticity may play a hitherto underestimated role for adaptation to climatic variation. However, rather than generally increased or decreased levels of plasticity, our results indicate fine-tuned, trait-specific evolutionary responses to increase fitness in novel environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Neu
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Klaus Fischer
- Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Kuczyk J, Raharivololoniaina A, Fischer K. Population-specific responses of an insect herbivore to variation in host-plant quality. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:17963-17972. [PMID: 35003650 PMCID: PMC8717263 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic climate change poses a substantial challenge to many organisms, to which they need to respond to avoid fitness reductions. Investigating responses to environmental change is particularly interesting in herbivores, as they are potentially affected by indirect effects mediated via variation in host-plant quality. We here use the herbivorous insect Pieris napi to investigate geographic variation in the response to variation in food quality. We performed a common garden experiment using replicated populations from Germany and Italy, and manipulated host quality by growing host plants at different temperature and water regimes. We found that feeding on plants grown at a higher temperature generally diminished the performance of P. napi, evidenced by a prolonged development time and reduced larval growth rate, body mass, fat content, and phenoloxidase activity. Genotype by environment interactions (G × E) were present in several performance traits, indicating that Italian populations (1) respond more strongly to variation in host-plant quality and (2) are more sensitive to poor food quality than German ones. This may reflect a cost of the rapid lifestyle found in Italian populations. Consequently, German populations may be more resilient against environmental perturbations and may perhaps even benefit from warmer temperatures, while Italian populations will likely suffer from the concomitantly reduced host-plant quality. Our study thus exemplifies how investigating G × E may help to better understand the vulnerability of populations to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Kuczyk
- Zoological Institute and MuseumUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Ange Raharivololoniaina
- Department of BiologyInstitute of Integrated Natural SciencesUniversity of Koblenz‐LandauKoblenzGermany
| | - Klaus Fischer
- Department of BiologyInstitute of Integrated Natural SciencesUniversity of Koblenz‐LandauKoblenzGermany
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Neu A, Beaulieu M, Fischer K. Limits on optimal decision making: host plant selection is not altered by high temperatures in a butterfly. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Günter F, Beaulieu M, Franke K, Toshkova N, Fischer K. Clinal variation in investment into reproduction versus maintenance suggests a 'pace-of-life' syndrome in a widespread butterfly. Oecologia 2020; 193:1011-1020. [PMID: 32719946 PMCID: PMC7458933 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04719-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Extreme weather events such as heat waves are predicted to increase in the course of anthropogenic climate change. Widespread species are exposed to a variety of environmental conditions throughout their distribution range, often resulting in local adaptation. Consequently, populations from different regions may vary in their capacity to deal with challenging conditions such as thermal stress. In this study, we investigated clinal variation in body size, fecundity, and oxidative markers along a pan-European latitudinal gradient in the green-veined white butterfly Pieris napi, and additionally gene expression in German individuals. We exposed butterflies from replicated Italian, German, and Swedish populations to cold, control, or hot temperatures for 24 h. Under hot conditions, molecular chaperones were up-regulated, while oxidative damage remained unaffected and levels of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) were reduced under cold and hot conditions. Thus, the short-term exposure to heat stress did not substantially affect oxidative balance. Moreover, we found decreased body size and fecundity in cooler compared with warmer regions. Interestingly, oxidative damage was lowest in Swedish animals exhibiting (1) high levels of GSH, (2) low early fecundity, and (3) low larval growth rates. These results suggest that Swedish butterflies have a slower life style and invest more strongly into maintenance, while those from warmer regions show the opposite pattern, which may reflect a 'pace-of-life' syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Günter
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Greifswald University, Soldmannstraße 14, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Michaël Beaulieu
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Greifswald University, Soldmannstraße 14, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kristin Franke
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Greifswald University, Soldmannstraße 14, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nia Toshkova
- National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Science, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd, 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Klaus Fischer
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Greifswald University, Soldmannstraße 14, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute for Integrated Natural Sciences, University Koblenz-Landau, 56070, Koblenz, Germany
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Alston MA, Lee J, Moore ME, Kingsolver JG, Willett CS. The ghost of temperature past: interactive effects of previous and current thermal conditions on gene expression in Manduca sexta. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb213975. [PMID: 32127377 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.213975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
High temperatures can negatively impact the performance and survival of organisms, particularly ectotherms. While an organism's response to high temperature stress clearly depends on current thermal conditions, its response may also be affected by the temporal pattern and duration of past temperature exposures. We used RNA sequencing of Manduca sexta larvae fat body tissue to evaluate how diurnal temperature fluctuations during development affected gene expression both independently and in conjunction with subsequent heat stress. Additionally, we compared gene expression between two M. sexta populations, a lab colony and a genetically related field population that have been separated for >300 generations and differ in their thermal sensitivities. Lab-adapted larvae were predicted to show increased expression responses to both single and repeated thermal stress, whereas recurrent exposure could decrease later stress responses for field individuals. We found large differences in overall gene expression patterns between the two populations across all treatments, as well as population-specific transcriptomic responses to temperature; more differentially expressed genes were upregulated in the field compared with lab larvae. Developmental temperature fluctuations alone had minimal effects on long-term gene expression patterns, with the exception of a somewhat elevated stress response in the lab population. Fluctuating rearing conditions did alter gene expression during exposure to later heat stress, but this effect depended on both the population and the particular temperature conditions. This study contributes to increased knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying physiological responses of organisms to temperature fluctuations, which is needed for the development of more accurate thermal performance models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meggan A Alston
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jeeyun Lee
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Moore
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Joel G Kingsolver
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Christopher S Willett
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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