Speaker
Description
Mosquitoes of the Culex pipiens complex are relevant vectors of West Nile Virus, which has been locally detected in Germany since 2018. Environmental changes, including land-use modifications and climate change, may influence genetic and morphometric traits of mosquito populations, potentially affecting their fitness and vector competence.
This study examines association between environmental factors (land-use, temperature, latitude), genetic variability, and wing characteristics (shape, centroid size) of Culex pipiens s.s. populations.
Up to 20 female mosquito specimens from 23 sites across Germany were used. Wing shape and size were assessed using landmark-based morphometric methods, and genetic variability was examined via mitochondrial COI gene sequencing. Wing shape showed weak associations with latitude and land-use types (p<.05, R² < 2%), and tree cover had a minor effect on centroid size (R² = 1.4%). Genetic variability was low (π = 0.49; Hd = 0.15). Haplotype analysis assigned 341 specimens to biotype pipiens and 8 to molestus. A negative Tajima’s D (-2.05) indicated population expansion. No correlation was observed between wing shape and genetic variability.
The results indicate limited genetic variability of the Culex pipiens s.s. populations. Although associations between environmental factors and morphology were measured we conclude that these influences are minor and that Culex pipiens s.s. populations in Germany exhibit a highly stable population structure.
Keywords
Culex pipens, vectors, land-use, variability-
| Registration ID | OHS25-138 |
|---|---|
| Professional Status of the Speaker | Graduate Student |
| Junior Scientist Status | No, I am not a Junior Scientist. |
Authors
Co-authors
External references
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