Colonized Aedes albopictus and its sexual performance in the wild: implications for SIT technology and containment

Hamady, Dieng and Ruslan, Norrafiza and Ahmad, Abu Hassan and Rawi, Che Salmah Md and Ahmad, Hamdan and Satho, Tomomitsu and Miake, Fumio and Zuharah, Wan Fatma and Yuki FuKumitsu, Yuki FuKumitsu and Saad, Ahmad Ramli and Rajasaygar, Sudha and Vargas, Ronald Enrique Morales and Majid, Abdul Hafiz Ab and Fadzly, Nik and Ghani, Idris Abd and AbuBakar, Sazaly (2013) Colonized Aedes albopictus and its sexual performance in the wild: implications for SIT technology and containment. Parasites and Vectors, 6 (206). pp. 1-9. ISSN 1756-3305

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Abstract

Background: Mating is a physiological process of crucial importance underlying the size and maintenance of mosquito populations. In sterile and incompatible insect technologies (SIT and IIT), mating is essential for mass production, persistence, and success of released individuals, and is a central parameter for judging the effectiveness of SIT/IIT programs. Some mosquitoes have an enormous reproductive potential for both themselves and pathogens and mating may contribute to persistence of infection in nature. As Aedes albopictus can transmit flaviviruses both sexually and horizontally, and as infected insects are usually derived from laboratory colonies, we investigated the implications of mating between a long-term laboratory colony of Ae. albopictus and wild populations. Methods: Through a series of mating experiments, we examined the reproductive outcomes of sexual cross-affinity between laboratory-raised and wild adults of Ae. albopictus. Results: The results indicated appreciable mating compatibility between laboratory-reared and wild adults, and equivalent levels of egg production among reciprocal crosses. We also observed comparable larval eclosion in lab females mated with wild males, and increased adult longevity in female offspring from wild females|×|laboratory males crosses. Conclusions: Taken together, these data suggest that Ae. albopictus can preserve its reproductive fitness over a long period of time in the laboratory environment and has valuable attributes for SIT application. These observations together with the ability to successfully inseminate heterospecific females indicate the potential of Ae. albopictus to act as an ecological barrier if non-sterilized males are massively released in areas occupied by Aedes aegypti. The observed substantial reproductive fitness combined with the capability to reproduce both, itself and viruses illustrates the potential of Ae. albopictus to pose a serious threat if infected and released accidentally.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Aedes albopictus, Laboratory strain, Wild strain, Mating affinity, Containment
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Divisions: Pusat Pengajian Sains Kajihayat (School of Biological Sciences) > Article
Zoom Profil Pakar (Expert Profile) > Abdul Hafiz Ab Majid (Biological Sciences)
Depositing User: Administrator Automasi
Date Deposited: 17 Apr 2019 02:42
Last Modified: 17 Apr 2019 02:42
URI: http://eprints.usm.my/id/eprint/44111

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