Anopheles albitarsis embryogenesis: morphological identification of major events.
Anopheles albitarsis embryogenesis was analyzed through confocal microscopy of clarified eggs. Using Drosophila melanogaster as reference system, the major morphogenetic events (blastoderm, gastrulation, germ band extension, germ band retraction, dorsal closure) were identified. The kinetics of early events is proportionally similar in both systems, but late movements (from germ band retraction on) progress slower in An. albitarsis. Major differences in An. albitarsis related to D. melanogaster were: (1) pole cells do not protrude from the blastoderm; (2) the mosquito embryo undergoes a 180 degrees rotation movement, along its longitudinal axis; (3) the head remains individualized throughout embryogenesis; (4) extraembryonary membranes surround the whole embryo. A novel kind of malaria control is under development and is based on the use of genetically modified mosquitoes. Phenotypic analysis of the embryonic development of mutants will be imposed as part of the evaluation of effectiveness and risk of employment of this strategy in the field. In order to accomplish this, knowledge of the wild type embryo is a prerequisite. Morphological studies will also serve as basis for subsequent development biology approaches.
Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brasil.
Adelaide Tardin
AT
Monnerat
Marcelo Pelajo
MP
Machado
Bruno Silva
BS
Vale
Maurilio José
MJ
Soares
José Bento Pereira
JB
Lima
Henrique Leonel
HL
Lenzi
Denise
D
Valle
D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000196:embryology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000196:embryology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning