Microbiota Variation in Aedes aegypti (Diptera:Culicidae): A Comparative Study of Field-Caught and Laboratory adapted-Reared Populations
The control of Aedes aegypti, the main vector of Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya, remains a global health priority due to its expanding distribution and the absence of specific treatments. The mosquitos microbiota is increasingly recognized as a factor influencing its biology and vector competence; however, studies comparing wild and laboratory-reared populations are scarce, particularly in Colombia.This study examined the bacterial and microeukaryotic microbiota of Ae. aegypti from four municipalities in Boyaca (Puerto Boyaca, Otanche, Moniquira, and Muzo), alongside laboratory-reared populations maintained for at least five generations and the Rockefeller strain. Microbial profiling was performed using Oxford Nanopore sequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA genes.Results indicated no significant differences in alpha diversity, but beta diversity varied among groups, laboratory-reared mosquitoes showed a higher abundance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, suggesting environmental selection. Despite these variations, a shared microbiota was identified among all groups, including Cutibacterium acnes, Dechloromonas hortensis, P. aeruginosa, Caldimonas brevitalea, Acinetobacter soli, Chryseobacterium indologenes, and Pseudomonas putida, which hypothetically suggests the possibility of transstadial transmission. Importantly, this study reports for the first time the presence of the parasite Ascogregarina culicis in Ae. aegypti from Colombia, a potential modulator of arbovirus transmission that warrants further attention in future studies.Overall, this work provides the first comparative profile of field-collected, laboratory-adapted, and Rockefeller strain populations of Ae. aegypti from Boyaca, highlighting the influence of environmental conditions on microbial composition. The bacterial repertoire identified offers candidate symbionts for future functional studies and for the development of new vector control strategies.