Using spatial genetics to quantify mosquito dispersal for control programs.

BACKGROUND: Hundreds of millions of people get a mosquito-borne disease every year and nearly one million die. Transmission of these infections is primarily tackled through the control of mosquito vectors. The accurate quantification of mosquito dispersal is critical for the design and optimization of vector control programs, yet the measurement of dispersal using traditional mark-release-recapture (MRR) methods is logistically challenging and often unrepresentative of an insect's true behavior. Using Aedes aegypti (a major arboviral vector) as a model and two study sites in Singapore, we show how mosquito dispersal can be characterized by the spatial analyses of genetic relatedness among individuals sampled over a short time span without interruption of their natural behaviors. RESULTS: Using simple oviposition traps, we captured adult female Ae. aegypti across high-rise apartment blocks and genotyped them using genome-wide SNP markers. We developed a methodology that produces a dispersal kernel for distance which results from one generation of successful breeding (effective dispersal), using the distance separating full siblings and 2nd- and 3rd-degree relatives (close kin). The estimated dispersal distance kernel was exponential (Laplacian), with a mean dispersal distance (and dispersal kernel spread σ) of 45.2 m (95% CI 39.7-51.3 m), and 10% probability of a dispersal > 100 m (95% CI 92-117 m). Our genetically derived estimates matched the parametrized dispersal kernels from previous MRR experiments. If few close kin are captured, a conventional genetic isolation-by-distance analysis can be used, as it can produce σ estimates congruent with the close-kin method if effective population density is accurately estimated. Genetic patch size, estimated by spatial autocorrelation analysis, reflects the spatial extent of the dispersal kernel "tail" that influences, for example, the critical radii of release zones and the speed of Wolbachia spread in mosquito replacement programs. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that spatial genetics can provide a robust characterization of mosquito dispersal. With the decreasing cost of next-generation sequencing, the production of spatial genetic data is increasingly accessible. Given the challenges of conventional MRR methods, and the importance of quantified dispersal in operational vector control decisions, we recommend genetic-based dispersal characterization as the more desirable means of parameterization.

A discrete-time dynamical system and an evolution algebra of mosquito population.

Recently, continuous-time dynamical systems of mosquito populations have been studied. In this paper, we consider a discrete-time dynamical system, generated by an evolution quadratic operator of a mosquito population, and show that this system has two fixed points, which become saddle points under some conditions on the parameters of the system. We construct an evolution algebra, taking its matrix of structural constants equal to the Jacobian of the quadratic operator at a fixed point. Idempotent and absolute nilpotent elements, simplicity properties, and some limit points of the evolution operator corresponding to the evolution algebra are studied. We give some biological interpretations of our results.

Measure post-bloodmeal dispersal of mosquitoes and duration of radioactivity by using the isotope ³²P.

The radioactive isotope (32)P-labeled disodium phosphate (Na2H(32)PO4) was injected via the jugular vein into a cow kept in a shed in Maozhuang Village, Cao Township of Shanxian County, China. Over the following 5 d, mosquitoes feeding on the cow were captured at distances up to 400 m to determine dispersal distance. The duration of radioactivity in the cow and marked mosquitoes was 10 d. The results showed that after blood feeding, Anopheles sinensis and Culex tritaeniorhynchus temporarily rested in the cattle shed and then flew outdoors. In contrast, Culex pipiens pallens remained in the cattle shed after feeding. These findings confirmed that local An. sinensis and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were partially endophilic and tended to rest out of doors, whereas Cx. pipiens pallens was endophilic. For marked An. sinensis and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, there was a significant tendency for dispersal to be in a northeast and east direction, probably because of the presence of heavy shading by an agricultural field, a small river for mosquito oviposition sites, and locations downwind from the blood source. The furthest flight distances for An. sinensis and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were 210 and 240 m; therefore, control of these mosquitoes should include resting places indoors and outdoors within a radius of 250 m from confirmed cases.

Environmentally Dependent Density-Distance Relationship of Dispersing Culex tarsalis in a Southern California Desert Region.

The direct inclusion of environmental factors into the empirical model that describes a density-distance relationship (DDR) is demonstrated on dispersal data obtained in a capture-mark-release-recapture experiment (CMRR) with Culex tarsalis conducted around the community of Mecca, CA. Empirical parameters of standard (environmentally independent) DDR were expressed as linear functions of environmental variables: relative orientation (azimuthal deviation of north) of release point (relative to recapture point) and proportions of habitat types surrounding each recapture point. The yielded regression model (R(2)  =  0.5373, after optimization on the best subset of linear terms) suggests that spatial density of recaptured individuals after 12 days of a CMRR experiment significantly depended on 1) distance from release point, 2) orientation of recapture points in relation to release point (preferring dispersal toward the south, probably due to wind drift and position of periodically flooded habitats suitable for species egg clutches), and 3) habitat spectrum in surroundings of recapture points (increasing and decreasing population density in desert and urban environment, respectively).

A sterile insect technique pilot trial on Captiva Island: defining mosquito population parameters for sterile male releases using mark-release-recapture.

BACKGROUND: The sterile insect technique (SIT), which involves area-wide inundative releases of sterile insects to suppress the reproduction of a target species, has proven to be an effective pest control method. The technique demands the continuous release of sterilized insects in quantities that ensure a high sterile male:wild male ratio for the suppression of the wild population over succeeding generations. METHODS: For these releases, it is important to determine several ecological and biological population parameters, including the longevity of the released males in the field, the dispersal of the released males and the wild pest population size. The Lee County Mosquito Control District initiated a study in a 47-ha portion of Captiva Island (Florida, USA), an island with a total area of 230 ha, to define biological SIT parameters for Aedes aegypti (L.), an invasive disease-vectoring mosquito known to be difficult to control due to a combination of daytime biting activity, use of cryptic breeding habitats that are difficult to target with conventional night-time ultra-low volume methods, and emerging resistance to commonly used insecticides. Another goal was to assess patterns of dispersal and survival for laboratory-reared sterile Ae. aegypti males released over time in the pilot site. These parameters will be used to evaluate the efficacy of a SIT suppression program for Ae. aegypti on Captiva Island. RESULTS: Over the course of seven mark-release-recapture studies using single- and multiple-point releases, 190,504 sterile marked males were released, for which the recapture rate was 1.5% over a mean period of 12 days. The mean distance traveled by sterile males of the local strain of Ae. aegypti that has colonized Captiva Island was 201.7 m from the release point, with an observed maximum traveled distance of 404.5 m. The released sterile mosquitoes had a probability of daily survival of 0.67 and an average life expectancy of ~ 2.46 days. CONCLUSIONS: These data together with the population size estimate and sterile:wild ratio provide a solid basis for planning the SIT operational phase which is aimed at mosquito population suppression.

Mathematical modelling of the mosquito Aedes polynesiensis in a heterogeneous environment.

BACKGROUND: The mosquito Aedes polynesiensis inhabits Pacific islands and territories and transmits arboviruses and parasites. In the context of rapid environmental change, understanding the effects of environmental heterogeneity on mosquitoes is crucial. METHODS: First, empirical field data and remote sensing data were combined to model spatial heterogeneity in the environmental suitability for Ae. polynesiensis. Second, a model of mosquito population dynamics was applied to predict mosquito distributions over a heterogeneous landscape assuming different dispersal behaviours. Motu Tautau, French Polynesia, was used as a case study of the utility of this methodological approach. Ae. polynesiensis use land crab Cardisoma carnifex burrows for oviposition in French Polynesia; environmental suitability was therefore quantified using C. carnifex burrow density. RESULTS: Micro-regions with large Ae. polynesiensis populations facilitated by high C. carnifex burrow density were accurately captured by our methodology. Preferential dispersal towards oviposition sites promoted larger population sizes than non-preferential dispersal but did not offer greater resilience to environmental change. Reduced environmental suitability for Ae. polynesiensis resulted in spatially non-linear effects upon the mosquito distribution. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental change has complex spatial effects upon mosquito populations. Mosquito control strategies must carefully balance spatial effects with net effects.

Blood-feeding ecology of mosquitoes in two zoological gardens in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Zoological gardens contain unique configurations of exotic and endemic animals and plants that create a diverse range of developing sites and potential sources of blood meals for local mosquitoes. This may imply unusual interspecific pathogen transmission risks involving zoo vertebrates, like avian malaria to captive penguins. Understanding mosquito ecology and host feeding patterns is necessary to improve mosquito control and disease prevention measures in these environments. METHODS: Mosquito sampling took place in Chester Zoo for 3 years (2017, 2018, and 2019) and for 1 year in Flamingo Land (2017) using different trapping methods. Blood-fed mosquitoes were identified and their blood meal was amplified by PCR, sequenced, and blasted for host species identification. RESULTS: In total, 640 blood-fed mosquitoes were collected [Culex pipiens (n = 497), Culiseta annulata (n = 81), Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (n = 7), An. claviger (n = 1), and unidentifiable (n = 55)]. Successful identification of the host species was achieved from 159 blood-fed mosquitoes. Mosquitoes fed on birds (n = 74), non-human mammals (n = 20), and humans (n = 71). There were mixed blood meals from two hosts (n = 6). The proportions of blood-fed mosquitoes varied across sampling seasons and sites within the zoos. The use of resting traps and aspiration of vegetation were more efficient techniques for capturing blood-fed mosquitoes than traps for host-seeking or gravid mosquitoes. By relating the locations of zoo vertebrates to where fed mosquitoes were trapped, the minimum travelling distances were calculated (13.7 to 366.7 m). Temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, proximity to zoo vertebrate exhibits, and vegetation level were found to be significantly associated with the proportion of captured blood-fed mosquitoes by generalized linear modelling. CONCLUSIONS: Mosquito feeding behaviour in zoos is mainly influenced by time, location (sampling area), temperature, and host availability, which highlights the value of mosquito monitoring in complex settings to plan control strategies and potentially reduce inherent disease transmission risks for humans and threatened zoo vertebrates.