Metagenomic analysis of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes from Grenada, West Indies

PLoS One. 2020 Apr 13;15(4):e0231047. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231047. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The mosquitoes Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 (Diptera: Culicidae) are two major vectors of arthropod-borne pathogens in Grenada, West Indies. As conventional vector control methods present many challenges, alternatives are urgently needed. Manipulation of mosquito microbiota is emerging as a field for the development of vector control strategies. Critical to this vector control approach is knowledge of the microbiota of these mosquitoes and finding candidate microorganisms that are common to the vectors with properties that could be used in microbiota modification studies. Results showed that bacteria genera including Asaia, Escherichia, Pantoea, Pseudomonas, and Serratia are common to both major arboviral vectors in Grenada and have previously been shown to be good candidates for transgenetic studies. Also, for the first time, the presence of Grenada mosquito rhabdovirus 1 is reported in C. quinquefasciatus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / genetics*
  • Aedes / microbiology
  • Aedes / virology
  • Animals
  • Culex / genetics*
  • Culex / microbiology
  • Culex / virology
  • Female
  • Genome, Insect / genetics*
  • Grenada
  • Male
  • Metagenomics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

Grants and funding

This research was funded by The Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation’s One Health Research Initiative Grant 04-11-10.