title: Exploring genetic variation in haplotypes of the filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) through DNA barcoding.
abstract: Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) is a vector of many pathogens and parasites of humans, as well as domestic and wild animals. In urban and semi-urban Asian countries, Cx. quinquefasciatus is a main vector of nematodes causing lymphatic filariasis. In the African region, it vectors the Rift Valley fever virus, while in the USA it transmits West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis and Western equine encephalitis virus. In this study, DNA barcoding was used to explore the genetic variation of Cx. quinquefasciatus populations from 88 geographical regions. We presented a comprehensive approach analyzing the effectiveness of two gene markers, i.e. CO1 and 16S rRNA. The high threshold genetic divergence of CO1 (0.47%) gene was reported as an ideal marker for molecular identification of this mosquito vector. Furthermore, null substitutions were lower in CO1 if compared to 16S rRNA, which influenced its differentiating potential among Indian haplotypes. NJ tree was well supported with high branch values for CO1 gene than 16S rRNA, indicating ideal genetic differentiation among haplotypes. TCS haplotype network revealed 14 distinct clusters. The intra- and inter-population polymorphism were calculated among the global and Indian Cx. quinquefasciatus lineages. The genetic diversity index Tajima' D showed negative values for all the 4 intra-population clusters (G2-4, G10). Fu's FS showed negative value for G10 cluster, which was significant and indicated recent population expansion. However, the G2-G4 (i.e. Indian lineages) had positive values, suggesting a bottleneck effect. Overall, our research firstly shed light on the genetic differences among the haplotypes of Cx. quinquefasciatus species complex, adding basic knowledge to the molecular ecology of this important mosquito vector.
authors.affiliation: Division of Entomology, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Chithravel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vadivalagan
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore 641 043, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Pushparaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karthika
authors.affiliation: Division of Entomology, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Biotechnology, Thiruvalluvar University, Serkkadu, Vellore 632 115, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Kadarkarai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murugan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Chellasamy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Panneerselvam
authors.affiliation: Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Animal Production Research Centre, Via Salaria 31, 00016 Monterotondo Scalo, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Del Serrone
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: benelli.giovanni@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000235:genetics*; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic / Q000379:methods*; D005368:Filariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000235:genetics*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012295:Rift Valley Fever / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012296:Rift Valley fever virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*
chemical_list: D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: CO1; DNA divergence; Genetic drift; Polymorphism; Rift Valley fever virus; West Nile virus