Genomic Analysis of Aedes aegypti in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert of Texas and Mexico
Fecha
2024-10-09Autor
De La Mora Covarrubias, Antonio
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Background: Aedes aegypti, is the primary vector of dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever viruses.
Both natural and human-impacted landscapes have selective pressures on Ae. aegypti, resulting in strong
genomic structure even within close geographical distances.
Materials and Methods: We assess the genetic structure of this medically important mosquito species at the
northern leading edge of their distribution in Southwestern USA. Ae. aegypti were collected during 2017 in the
urban communities of El Paso and Sparks, Texas (USA) and in the city of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
Results: Thousands of nuclear loci were sequenced across 260 captured Ae. aegypti. First, we recovered the
genetic structure of Ae. aegypti following geography, with all four major collection communities being genetically
distinct. Importantly, we found population structure and genetic diversity that suggest rapid expansion through
active-short distance dispersals, with Anapra being the likely source for the others. Next, tests of selection
recovered eight functional genes across six outliers: calmodulin with olfactory receptor function; the protein
superfamily C-type lectin with function in mosquito immune system and development; and TATA box binding
protein with function in gene regulation.
Conclusion: Despite these populations being documented in the early 2000s, we find that selective pressures on
specific genes have already occurred and likely facilitate Ae. aegypti range expansion.