title: Wing sexual dimorphism in Aedes fluviatilis (Diptera: Culicidae).
abstract: Culicidae mosquitoes are important vectors of pathogens; however, males and females have different responses to selective pressures, leading to distinct evolutionary outcomes. A better understanding of this phenomenon is crucial to establish effective control strategies for this mosquito. Although Aedes fluviatilis is considered a secondary vector for several diseases, there is a dearth of data about its ecology, population structure and sexual dimorphism. The goal of this study was therefore to assess sexual dimorphism patterns in Aedes fluviatilis. Wings from males and females were analyzed both by geometric morphometrics. Pairwise cross-validated reclassification tests indicated significant sexual dimorphism between specimens from each gender. Canonical variation analysis showed significant morphometrical differences between genders, indicating that sexual dimorphism might be a result of evolutionary pressures in this species and may be useful when developing control strategies for this mosquito.
authors.affiliation: São Paulo Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo. Av. Dr.Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael de Oliveira
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Christe
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo. Av. Dr. Arnaldo 715, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: andrewilke@usp.br.
authors.forename: André Barretto Bruno
authors.initials: ABB
authors.lastname: Wilke
authors.affiliation: Faculdade São Francisco de Barreiras, Av. São Desidério, 2440, Barreiras, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paloma Oliveira
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.affiliation: São Paulo Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo. Av. Dr.Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo. Av. Dr. Arnaldo 715, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mauro Toledo
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Marrelli
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
keywords: Aedes fluviatilis; Culicidae; Morphometric geometrics; Sexual dimorphism