Genome sequence of Aedes aegypti from India
Aedes aegypti, the principal vector of the dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, is still a major threat to international health because of its extensive range and capacity to spread several infectious diseases. The ramifications of Aedes-borne illnesses, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, have spread around the world and placed a significant strain on public health systems. Given its long history for thriving in urban settings, Ae. aegypti is a dangerous arbovirus vector.Mosquito species encompass a vast array of vectors for various pathogens, with numerous sibling or cryptic species existing within them. This phenomenon is particularly common among Anopheles species, the primary vectors of malaria. Among these cryptic species, some act as vectors for pathogens while others are refractory to them. Additionally, these cryptic species often exhibit specificity to particular geographical regions and breeding conditions, contributing to the complexity of vector ecology and disease transmission dynamics.In contrast, Ae. aegypti presents a comparatively simpler scenario. Within Ae. aegypti, only two well-known forms are recognized: Ae. aegypti formosus, confined to African forests, and Ae. aegypti aegypti, distributed globally. However, numerous morphological varieties exist beyond these forms. In India, one such variant has been observed, known as Ae. aegypti var luciensis, coexisting with Ae. aegypti type form in various locations. Crossbreeding experiments between this variant and the morphological variant have indicated that certain traits may be genetically controlled.Given the significance of Ae. aegypti as a disease vector, understanding its genomic characteristics and differences between variants is important. However, genomic data on this species from India is notably scarce. Therefore, comprehensive genomic studies are essential for elucidating the genetic basis of traits, population dynamics, and disease transmission patterns of Ae. aegypti, particularly in regions such as India where the species plays a significant role in public health.In view of this, this genome-wide comparative analysis of the Ae. aegypti type form and its morphological variant was carried out to shed light on the genetic underpinnings of morphological variation, and contributing to the broader understanding of mosquito biology and evolution.