Viral Metagenomics in Mosquitoes (Culicidae) from a Local Ecosystem in the Colombian Orinoco
Our study utilized Oxford Nanopore's technology to conduct a metagenomic analysis of the virome in mosquitoes belonging to the genera Ochlerotatus, Culex, Limatus, Mansonia, Psorophora, and Sabethes, within a local ecosystem in the Colombian Orinoco region. Our results revealed a diverse array of viral families known to infect various organisms, including bacteria, plants, insects, and mammals. Notably, the viromes of the studied mosquitoes were primarily composed of insect-specific viruses (ISVs), with the Iflaviridae family being the most prevalent across all samples. We observed a shared set of viral signatures among mosquito species, albeit with varying abundances. Hanko iflavirus 1 displayed the highest abundance in the analyzed mosquito pools. Other ISVs such as Guadeloupe mosquito virus (GMV), Hubei mosquito virus (HMV), Uxmal virus, Tanay virus, Cordoba virus, and Castlerea virus (belonging to the Negevirus genus) were identified in lower proportions. These findings suggest that diet and shared habitat may influence the composition of the mosquito virome, particularly in mosquitoes coexisting within a local ecosystem. The study highlights the significance of investigating viruses shared among different mosquito species and their implications in adaptation, persistence, and potential utilization for controlling and preventing pathogenic arboviruses.