Population genetic structure of the Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus (Diptera, Culicidae), in Belgium suggests multiple introductions

Abstract Background Aedes japonicus japonicus has expanded beyond its native range and has established in multiple European countries, including Belgium. In addition to the population located at Natoye, Belgium, locally established since 2002, specimens were recently collected along the Belgian border. The first objective of this study was therefore to investigate the origin of these new introductions, which were assumed to be related to the expansion of the nearby population in western Germany. Also, an intensive elimination campaign was undertaken at Natoye between 2012 and 2015, after which... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Nathalie Smitz
Katrien De Wolf
Isra Deblauwe
Helge Kampen
Francis Schaffner
Jacobus De Witte
Anna Schneider
Ingrid Verlé
Adwine Vanslembrouck
Wouter Dekoninck
Kenny Meganck
Sophie Gombeer
Ann Vanderheyden
Marc De Meyer
Thierry Backeljau
Doreen Werner
Ruth Müller
Wim Van Bortel
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2021
Reihe/Periodikum: Parasites & Vectors, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 1-12 (2021)
Verlag/Hrsg.: BMC
Schlagwörter: Aedes japonicus japonicus / Introduction / Invasive mosquito / Population genetics / Temporal changes / Microsatellites / Infectious and parasitic diseases / RC109-216
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-29387040
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04676-8

Abstract Background Aedes japonicus japonicus has expanded beyond its native range and has established in multiple European countries, including Belgium. In addition to the population located at Natoye, Belgium, locally established since 2002, specimens were recently collected along the Belgian border. The first objective of this study was therefore to investigate the origin of these new introductions, which were assumed to be related to the expansion of the nearby population in western Germany. Also, an intensive elimination campaign was undertaken at Natoye between 2012 and 2015, after which the species was declared to be eradicated. This species was re-detected in 2017, and thus the second objective was to investigate if these specimens resulted from a new introduction event and/or from a few undetected specimens that escaped the elimination campaign. Methods Population genetic variation at nad4 and seven microsatellite loci was surveyed in 224 and 68 specimens collected in Belgium and Germany, respectively. German samples were included as reference to investigate putative introduction source(s). At Natoye, 52 and 135 specimens were collected before and after the elimination campaign, respectively, to investigate temporal changes in the genetic composition and diversity. Results At Natoye, the genotypic microsatellite make-up showed a clear difference before and after the elimination campaign. Also, the population after 2017 displayed an increased allelic richness and number of private alleles, indicative of new introduction(s). However, the Natoye population present before the elimination programme is believed to have survived at low density. At the Belgian border, clustering results suggest a relation with the western German population. Whether the introduction(s) occur via passive human-mediated ground transport or, alternatively, by natural spread cannot be determined yet from the dataset. Conclusion Further introductions within Belgium are expected to occur in the near future, especially along the ...