Influence of Bloodmeal Source on Reproductive Output of the Potential West Nile Vector, Culex theileri (Diptera: Culicidae).

Culex theileri Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae) has a wide Afrotropical, southern Palaearctic, northern Oriental, and European distribution. It is mainly considered as a mammophilic mosquito and also feeds on birds and serves as a vector for various zoonotic diseases including West Nile virus. Despite its broad distribution and evidence indicating that Cx. theileri is a competent vector of human and domestic animal pathogens, basic biological and ecological features of this species have not been well investigated. We evaluated the impact of bloodmeal source (human, chicken, cow, and a double bloodmeal such as human and cow or chicken and cow and mixed bloodmeals [cow, chicken, and human] via artificial feeding) on fecundity, hatching rates, developmental times, and viability from egg to adult for laboratory colonized Cx. theileri. Fecundity in mosquitoes that took a chicken bloodmeal, a double bloodmeal and mixed bloodmeals was significantly higher than in females fed on a single cow or single human blood. This is the first study about the bloodmeal sources effect on laboratory-reared Cx. theileri populations and these findings contribute to our understanding of the impact of bloodmeal source on reproduction in Cx. theileri. As it is known that Cx. theileri is a vector for West Nile virus, the potential impacts of bloodmeal source on virus transmission are discussed.

Immunopathological investigation of a gerbil model of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania species (intracellular protozoans), is a chronic, systemic disease that causes skin (cutaneous) and internal organ infections (visceral). Its prevalence has increased in recent years. Leishmania species are considered important pathogens that affect public health. After infecting an individual, the pathogen disrupts the immune system, but, there are not enough studies on which immune mechanisms are affected. The aim of this study was to establish a Leishmania major infection model (the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis) in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) and to investigate the immune response in this model by examining the expression of important inflammatory genes (IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-É£ and TNF-α). The presence of parasites was confirmed by microscopic examination of samples taken from the lesions and culture studies. The expression of inflammatory cytokine genes was significantly increased in infected gerbils. The changes indicated that both the Th1 and Th2 pathways are activated in cutaneous leishmaniasis infection. Hence, different immunopathological mechanisms should be evaluated in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Identification and characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Culex theileri (Diptera: Culicidae).

Culex theileri Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae) is one of the most common mosquito species in northeastern Turkey and serves as a vector for various zoonotic diseases including West Nile virus. Although there have been some studies on the ecology of Cx. theileri, very little genetic data has been made available. We successfully sequenced 11 gene fragments from Cx. theileri specimens collected from the northeastern part of Turkey. On average, we found a Single nucleotide polymorphism every 45 bp. Transitions outnumbered transversions, at a ratio of 2:1. This is the first report of genetic polymorphisms in Cx. theileri and Single nucleotide polymorphism discovered from this study can be used to investigate population structure and gene-environmental interactions.

Genetic and phenotypic variation of the malaria vector Anopheles atroparvus in southern Europe.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing concern that global climate change will affect the potential for pathogen transmission by insect species that are vectors of human diseases. One of these species is the former European malaria vector, Anopheles atroparvus. Levels of population differentiation of An. atroparvus from southern Europe were characterized as a first attempt to elucidate patterns of population structure of this former malaria vector. Results are discussed in light of a hypothetical situation of re-establishment of malaria transmission. METHODS: Genetic and phenotypic variation was analysed in nine mosquito samples collected from five European countries, using eight microsatellite loci and geometric morphometrics on 21 wing landmarks. RESULTS: Levels of genetic diversity were comparable to those reported for tropical malaria vectors. Low levels of genetic (0.004

Adult Mosquito Fauna of Kura-Aras Basin

Objective: To identify the adult mosquito species of Kura-Aras Basin, which includes Kars-Ardahan Plateau and Aras Valley, mosquito sampling was done in August and September 2020. Methods: Adult mosquitoes were collected using new Jersey light traps and mouth aspirators. Results: A total of 5.361 adult mosquito species belonging to five genera (Aedes caspius, Aedes vexans, Anopheles hyrcanus, Anopheles maculipennis s.l., Anopheles superpictus, Culex hortensis, Culex theileri, Culex pipiens s.l., Coquillettidia richiardii, Culiseta annulata, Culiseta longiearolata and Culiseta subochera) were sampled. Conclusion: Species detected in the study area are important vectors for public health, since they carry pathogens, such as malaria, West Nile virus, and various nematodes. These species can be used for arbovirus and malaria research studies.

Landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis of wing size and wing shape among Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) populations in Turkey.

Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) has a widespread distribution that includes both temperate and tropical climates. It is a potential vector of several important worldwide arboviruses, including chikungunya, zika, and dengue, and its geographical distribution expands rapidly. Despite its vectorial importance, the bioecological features of this species in newly established environments are still not very well known. Thus, this study investigated phenotypic variations among Ae. albopictus populations from different regions in Turkey. This is the first comparative morphological study of Ae. albopictus populations in Turkey. The procrustes distances phenogram derived from wing data indicates that the shape differences among some populations and the population from the Aegean coast differ from the Black Sea populations. Size differences were also detected between some populations.

Potential Mosquito Vectors of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaira repens (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) in Aras Valley, Turkey.

Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) and Dirofilaria repens (Railliet & Henry, 1911) are mosquito-borne filarial nematodes that primarily affect dogs, causing heartworm disease and subcutaneous dirofilariosis. The canine heartworm is reported in different provinces in Turkey. However, studies about the transmitting mosquito species are limited. Hence, this study aimed to investigate potential vectors of D. immitis and D. repens in Aras Valley, Turkey. In total, 17,995 female mosquitoes were collected from eight villages during three mosquito seasons (2012-2014) in Aras Valley, located in north-eastern Turkey. A total of 1,054 DNA pools (527 abdomen and 527 head-thorax) were tested with Dirofilaria primers by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Aedes caspius was the most abundant species in collection sites with 90%; this was followed by Culex theileri Theobald, 1903 (Diptera: Culicidae) (7.31%), Anopheles maculipennis Meigen 1818 (Diptera: Culicidae) (1.28%), Culex pipiens Linnaeus, 1758 (Diptera: Culicidae) (0.43%), (Anopheles) hyrcanus (Pallas, 1771) (Diptera: Culicidae) (0.37%), Aedes vexans (Meigen, 1830) (Diptera: Culicidae) (0.25%), and Culiseta annulata Schrank, 1776 (Diptera:Culicidae) (0.02%). Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens were detected in mosquito pools from five villages. The total Dirofilaria spp. estimated infection rate was 1.33%. The highest estimated infection rate was found in Ae. vexans (6.66%) and the lowest was in Ae. caspius (1.26%). The results show that An. maculipennis sl, Ae. caspius, Ae. vexans, Cx. theileri and Cx. pipiens are potential vectors of D. immitis and D. repens with DNA in head-thorax pools; An. hyrcanus is also a likely vector, but Dirofilaria DNA was found only in abdomen pools for the study area. This study revealed new potential vector species for D. immitis. Mosquitoes with natural infections of D. repens were reported for the first time in Turkey.

Biting activity of mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Turkey-Armenia border area, Ararat Valley, Turkey.

During nine consecutive nights in July 2007 (from 18:15-05:45 h), mosquitoes landing-biting on humans were collected outdoors and indoors at the Turkey-Armenia border. A total of 1005 females were collected consisting of nine species. The dominant species was Aedes dorsalis (Meigen) (47.5% of total catch), followed by Anopheles hyrcanus (Pallas) (22.9%), Culex theileri (Theobald) (9.3%),Ae. vexans (Meigen) (6.6%), Ae. caspius (Pallas) (4.9%),Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (Meigen) (3.1%), Culex territans (Walker) (2.8%), Coquillettidia richiardii (Ficalbi) (1.6%), and Cx. pipiens L. (1.5%). The biting rate outdoors (15.1 mosquitoes/human/h) was greater than indoors (3.4 mosquitoes/human/h). The landing-biting of Ae. dorsalis peaked at dusk (19:15-19:45 h) and dawn (04:15-04:45 h). Ae. vexans activity increased soon after dark (20:15-20:45 h) and reached a peak at dawn (04:15-04:45 h). Maximum biting activity of An. hyrcanus and Cx. theileri occurred during the first sampling interval after dusk (20:15-20:45 h). A large number of An. maculipennis s.l. adults were collected during the second half of the night. We believe that these findings will contribute to decisions on the timing of mosquito control in Ararat Valley.

Correction: Spread of the Invasive Mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in the Black Sea Region Increases Risk of Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika Outbreaks in Europe.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004664.].

Seroepidemiological and entomological survey in a new focus of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in Kars province, Northeastern Turkey.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has now been recorded from 38 provinces of Turkey. Twenty-one VL cases were reported within six years from settlements located in most northeastern Turkey and we therefore aimed to carry out an entomological and seroepidemiological survey in this new focus for clarifying risk factors. Blood samples from 290 children and 165 dogs were collected. Sera samples were investigated for anti-Leishmania antibodies using indirect fluorescent antibody test. Sand fly collection for determining the fauna and seasonal activity was performed in all settlements by CDC light traps between June and September 2006. Although no seropositive child was detected during the survey the overall seroprevalence rate of canine leishmaniasis was found as 7.2%. A total of 4154 sand flies were collected and 10 species of genus Phlebotomus were identified belonging to Adlerius, Larroussius, Paraphlebotomus and Phlebotomus subgenera. Among them Phlebotomus kandelakii s.l. (55.44%), Phlebotomus balcanicus (12.62%) and Phlebotomus neglectus (4.40%) was detected as probable vector species for this new focus. The poor sanitation, very high population size of sand flies, probably because of very short season, no control measures for sand flies as well as dogs, and presence of microclimate suitable for sand flies were considered as main risk factors in the area.

Altitudinal genetic and morphometric variation among populations of Culex theileri Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae) from northeastern Turkey.

Enviromental conditions, including such important climatic variables as temperature and precipitation, change with altitude; thus, elevation plays a significant role in determining population and community structure in a variety of organisms. Using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and geometric morphometrics, nine populations of Culex theileri Theobald occurring in different ecological subregions at altitudes between 808-2,130 m in northeastern Turkey were compared. The wing size and shape data indicate that there are significant phenotypic differences among them, while Cx theileri populations are not genetically differentiated in the northeast part of Turkey. The size and shape variation analysis of wings showed that there is a positive correlation between wing (body) size/shape and altitude.

Altitudinal variation in the morphometric characteristics of Aedes vexans Meigen from northeastern Turkey.

Body size is one of the most significant features of organisms and is correlated with a large number of ecological and physiological variables. Similar to size, biological shape is one of the most conspicuous aspects of an organism's phenotype and provides a link between the genotype and the environment. Body size may change with altitude and also habitat differences associated with altitude may affect the biological shape and some morphological characteristics. Four populations of Aedes vexans Meigen occurring in different ecological subregions at altitudes between 808-1,620 m in the Aras Valley from northeastern Turkey were compared using traditional and geometric morphometrics. When the wing shape differences of populations were analyzed by UPGM, the cluster analyses recognized two main groups of populations. Gödekli (808 m) comprised the first group while Zülfikar (848 m), Sürmeli (944 m), and Cilehane (1,620 m) populations comprised the second group. In the second group, Zülfikar and Cilehane populations showed a similar grouping pattern while Sürmeli appeared as a different group. Centroid sizes were used as measures of overall wing size differences among different regions. Aedes vexans from the Sürmeli region had relatively larger wings.

Morphological differentiation may mediate mate-choice between incipient species of Anopheles gambiae s.s.

The M and S molecular forms of Anopheles gambiae s.s. have been considered incipient species for more than ten years, yet the mechanism underlying assortative mating of these incipient species has remained elusive. The discovery of the importance of harmonic convergence of wing beat frequency in mosquito mating and its relation to wing size have laid the foundation for exploring phenotypic divergence in wing size of wild populations of the two forms. In this study, wings from field collected mosquitoes were measured for wing length and wing width from two parts of the sympatric distribution, which differ with respect to the strength of assortative mating. In Mali, where assortative mating is strong, as evidenced by low rates of hybridization, mean wing lengths and wing widths were significantly larger than those from Guinea-Bissau. In addition, mean wing widths in Mali were significantly different between molecular forms. In Guinea-Bissau, assortative mating appears comparatively reduced and wing lengths and widths did not differ significantly between molecular forms. The data presented in this study support the hypothesis that wing beat frequency may mediate assortative mating in the incipient species of A. gambiae and represent the first documentation of a morphological difference between the M and S molecular forms.