scholarly journals Local adaptation and colonization are potential factors affecting sexual competitiveness and mating choice in Anopheles coluzzii populations

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Nignan ◽  
Bèwadéyir Serge Poda ◽  
Simon Péguédwindé Sawadogo ◽  
Hamidou Maïga ◽  
Kounbobr Roch Dabiré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Mating Success ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Reproduction Biology ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
Mating Choice

AbstractThe mating behaviour of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae complex is an important aspect of its reproduction biology. The success of mosquito release programmes based on genetic control of malaria crucially depends on competitive mating between both laboratory-reared and wild individuals, and populations from different localities. It is known that intrinsic and extrinsic factors can influence the mating success. This study addressed some of the knowledge gaps about factors influcencing mosquito mating success. In semi-field conditions, the study compared the mating success of three laboratory-reared and wild allopatric An. coluzzii populations originating from ecologically different locations in Burkina Faso. Overall, it was found that colonization reduced the mating competitiveness of both males and females compared to that of wild type individuals. More importly, females were more likely to mate with males of their own population of origin, be it wild or colonised, suggesting that local adaptation affected mate choice. The observations of mating behaviour of colonized and local wild populations revealed that subtle differences in behaviour lead to significant levels of population-specific mating. This is the first study to highlight the importance of local adaptation in the mating success, thereby highlighting the importance of using local strains for mass-rearing and release of An. coluzzii in vector control programmes.

Courtship and mating behaviour in the parasitoid waspCotesia urabae(Hymenoptera: Braconidae): mate location and the influence of competition and body size on male mating success

2016 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.A. Avila ◽  
T.M. Withers ◽  
G.I. Holwell
Keyword(s):  
Mating Success ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Mate Location ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Male Mating Success

AbstractCotesia urabaeis a solitary larval endoparasitoid that was introduced into New Zealand in 2011 as a classical biological control agent againstUraba lugens. A detailed knowledge of its reproductive biology is required to optimize mass rearing efficiency. In this study, the courtship and mating behaviour ofC. urabaeis described and investigated from a series of experiments, conducted to understand the factors that influence male mating success.Cotesia urabaemales exhibited a high attraction to virgin females but not mated females, whereas females showed no attraction to either virgin or mated males. Male mating success was highest in the presence of a male competitor. Also, the time to mate was shorter and copulation duration was longer when a male competitor was present. Larger maleC. urabaehad greater mating success than smaller males when paired together with a single female. This knowledge can now be utilized to improve mass rearing methods ofC. urabaefor the future.

scholarly journals Bulk‐up synchronization of successive larval cohorts of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii through temperature reduction at early larval stages: effect on emergence rate, body size and mating success

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qaswa Zubair ◽  
Holly Matthews ◽  
Seynabou Sougoufara ◽  
Fatima Mujeeb ◽  
Simon Ashall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Mating Success ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Cooling Period ◽  
Larval Stages

Abstract Background Malaria persists as a huge medical and economic burden. Although the number of cases and death rates have reduced in recent years, novel interventions are a necessity if such gains are to be maintained. Alternative methods to target mosquito vector populations that involve the release of large numbers genetically modified mosquitoes are in development. However, their successful introduction will require innovative strategies to bulk-up mosquito numbers and improve mass rearing protocols for Anopheles mosquitoes. Methods The relationship between mosquito aquatic stage development and temperature was exploited so that multiple cohorts of mosquitoes, from separate egg batches, could be synchronized to ‘bulk-up’ the number of mosquitoes released. First instar larvae were separated into two cohorts: the first, maintained under standard insectary conditions at 27oC, the second subjected to an initial 5-day cooling period at 19oC. Results Cooling of 1st instars slowed the mean emergence times of Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae by 2.4 and 3.5 days, respectively, compared to their 27oC counterparts. Pupation and emergence rates were good (> 85 %) in all conditions. Temperature adjustment had no effect on mosquito sex ratio and adult fitness parameters such as body size and mating success. Conclusions Bulk-up larval synchronization is a simple method allowing more operational flexibility in mosquito production towards mark-release-recapture studies and mass release interventions.

scholarly journals Bulk-up synchronisation of successive larval cohorts of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and Anopheles coluzzii through temperature reduction at early larval stages: effect on emergence rates, body size and mating success

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qaswa Zubair ◽  
Holly Matthews ◽  
Seynabou Sougoufara ◽  
Fatima Mujeeb ◽  
Simon Ashall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Mating Success ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Cooling Period ◽  
Larval Stages

Abstract Background: Malaria persists as a huge medical and economic burden. Although the number of cases and death rates have reduced in recent years, novel interventions are a necessity if such gains are to be maintained. Alternative methods to target mosquito vector populations that involve the release of large numbers genetically modified mosquitoes are in development. However, their successful introduction will require innovative strategies to bulk-up mosquito numbers and improve mass rearing protocols for Anopheles mosquitoes. Methods: Here we aimed to exploit the relationship between mosquito aquatic stage development and temperature so that multiple cohorts of mosquitoes, from separate egg batches, could be synchronised for a ‘bulk-up’ of the number of mosquitoes released. First instar larvae were separated into two cohorts: the first, maintained under standard insectary conditions at 27 o C, the second subjected to an initial 5-day cooling period at 19 o C. Results: Cooling of 1 st instars slowed the mean emergence times of An. coluzzii and An. gambiae by 2.4 and 3.5 days, respectively, compared to their 27 o C counterparts. Pupation and emergence rates were good (> 85%) in all conditions. Temperature adjustment had no effect on mosquito sex ratio and adult fitness parameters such as body size and mating success were also comparable with the control cohort. Conclusions: Bulk-up larval synchronization is a simple method allowing more operational flexibility in mosquito production towards mark-release-recapture studies and mass release interventions.

scholarly journals Bulk-up Synchronisation of Successive Larval Cohorts of Anopheles Gambiae Sensu Stricto and Anopheles Coluzzii Through Temperature Reduction at Early Larval Stages: Effect on Emergence Rates, Body Size and Mating Success

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qaswa Zubair ◽  
Holly Matthews ◽  
Seynabou Sougoufara ◽  
Fatima Mujeeb ◽  
Simon Ashall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Mating Success ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Cooling Period ◽  
Larval Stages

Abstract Background: Malaria persists as a huge medical and economic burden. Although the number of cases and death rates have reduced in recent years, novel interventions are a necessity if such gains are to be maintained. Alternative methods to target mosquito vector populations that involve the release of large numbers genetically modified mosquitoes are in development. However, their successful introduction will require innovative strategies to bulk-up mosquito numbers and improve mass rearing protocols for Anopheles mosquitoes.Methods: Here we aimed to exploit the relationship between mosquito aquatic stage development and temperature so that multiple cohorts of mosquitoes, from separate egg batches, could be synchronised for a ‘bulk-up’ of the number of mosquitoes released. First instar larvae were separated into two cohorts: the first, maintained under standard insectary conditions at 27oC, the second subjected to an initial 5-day cooling period at 19oC. Results: Cooling of 1st instars slowed the mean emergence times of An. coluzzii and An. gambiae by 2.4 and 3.5 days, respectively, compared to their 27oC counterparts. Pupation and emergence rates were good (> 85%) in all conditions. Temperature adjustment had no effect on mosquito sex ratio and adult fitness parameters such as body size and mating success were also comparable with the control cohort. Conclusions: Bulk-up larval synchronization is a simple method allowing more operational flexibility in mosquito production towards mark-release-recapture studies and mass release interventions.

Factors affecting the amplitude of the τ angle in proteins: a revisitation

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 618-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Balasco ◽  
Luciana Esposito ◽  
Luigi Vitagliano
Keyword(s):  
Protein Structures ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Backbone Conformation ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Open Issues

The protein folded state is the result of the fine balance of a variety of different forces. Even minor structural perturbations may have a significant impact on the stability of these macromolecules. Studies carried out in recent decades have led to the convergent view that proteins are endowed with a flexible spine. One of the open issues related to protein local backbone geometry is the identification of the factors that influence the amplitude of the τ (N—Cα—C) angle. Here, statistical analyses performed on an updated ensemble of X-ray protein structures by dissecting the contribution of the major factors that can potentially influence the local backbone geometry of proteins are reported. The data clearly indicate that the local backbone conformation has a prominent impact on the modulation of the τ angle. Therefore, a proper assessment of the impact of the other potential factors can only be appropriately evaluated when small (φ, ψ) regions are considered. Here, it is shown that when the contribution of the backbone conformation is removed by considering small (φ, ψ) areas, an impact of secondary structure, as defined byDSSP, and/or the residue type on τ is still detectable, although to a limited extent. Indeed, distinct τ-value distributions are detected for Pro/Gly and β-branched (Ile/Val) residues. The key role of the local backbone conformation highlighted here supports the use of variable local backbone geometry in protein refinement protocols.

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