Aedes albopictus diversity and relationships in south-western Europe and Brazil by rDNA/mtDNA and phenotypic analyses: ITS-2, a useful marker for spread studies

Abstract Background Aedes albopictus is a very invasive mosquito, which has recently colonized tropical and temperate regions worldwide. Of concern is its role in the spread of emerging or re-emerging mosquito-borne diseases. Ae. albopictus from south-western Europe and Brazil were studied to infer genetic and phenetic diversity at intra-individual, intra-population and inter-population levels, and to analyse its spread. Methods Genotyping was made by rDNA 5.8S-ITS-2 and mtDNA cox1 sequencing to assess haplotype and nucleotide diversity, genetic distances and phylogenetic networks. Male and female phenotyping included combined landmark-and outlined-based geometric morphometrics of wing size and shape. Results Specimens from seven populations from Spain, France and Brazil provided 12 cox1 and 162 5.8S-ITS-2 haplotypes, with great genetic variability difference between both markers (0.9% vs 31.2%). Five cox1 haplotypes were shared with other countries, mainly Italy, USA and China, but none was shared between Europe and Brazil. The 5.8S-ITS-2 showed 2–7 intra-individual (mean 4.7) and 16–34 intra-/inter-population haplotypes (24.7), including haplotypes shared between Spain, France and Brazil. A 4.3% of ITS-2 haplotypes were shared, mainly with Italy, USA and Thailand, evidencing worldwide spread and introductions from areas where recent outbreaks of Ae. albopictus-transmitted pathogens occurred. Wing size showed sex differences. Wing shape distinguished between Brazilian and European specimens. Both genetic and morphometric markers showed differences between insular Spain and continental Spain, France and Brazil. Conclusions ITS-2 proves to be a useful marker to assess Ae. albopictus spread, providing pronouncedly more information than cox1, including intra-individual, intra-population and inter-population levels, furnishing a complete overview of the evolutionary exchanges followed by this mosquito. Wing morphometry proves to be a useful phenotyping marker, allowing to distinguish different populations at the level of both male and female specimens. Results indicate the need for periodic surveillance monitorings to verify that no Ae. albopictus with high virus transmission capacity is introduced into Europe. Graphic Abstract

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First report of a North American invasive mosquito species Ochlerotatus atropalpus (Coquillett) in the Netherlands, 2009

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/ese.14.45.19400-en ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 14 (45) ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

E J Scholte ◽

W Den Hartog ◽

M Braks ◽

C Reusken ◽

M Dik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Aedes Albopictus ◽

Health Risks ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Invasive Mosquito ◽

Southern Netherlands

In late August and early September 2009, numerous larvae, pupae, and actively flying adult specimens of Ochlerotatus atropalpus were discovered in the Province of Brabant, southern Netherlands, during surveillance activities for Aedes albopictus at two trading companies that import used tires. No Ae. albopictus were found. Both companies mainly import used tires from countries in Europe, but also from North America. Oc. atropalpus is endemic to North America and has so far only been found outside of its endemic range in Europe, namely France and Italy, where it was subsequently eradicated. A preliminary modelling study shows that the weather conditions in the Netherlands are unlikely to prevent establishment of Oc. atropalpus. This species has so far only been shown to serve as a vector for virus transmission under laboratory conditions. Studies on potential human and veterinary health risks, as well as possible control strategies are currently ongoing.

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Mosquitoes of North-Western Europe as Potential Vectors of Arboviruses: A Review

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v11111059 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 1059 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Jean-Philippe Martinet ◽

Hubert Ferté ◽

Anna-Bella Failloux ◽

Francis Schaffner ◽

Jérôme Depaquit

Keyword(s):

Aedes Albopictus ◽

Native Species ◽

Western Europe ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Mosquito Vector ◽

Aedes Japonicus ◽

Imported Cases ◽

Invasive Mosquito ◽

North Western

Background: The intensification of trade and travel is linked to the growing number of imported cases of dengue, chikungunya or Zika viruses into continental Europe and to the expansion of invasive mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus. Local outbreaks have already occurred in several European countries. Very little information exists on the vector competence of native mosquitoes for arboviruses. As such, the vectorial status of the nine mosquito species largely established in North-Western Europe (Aedes cinereus and Aedes geminus, Aedes cantans, Aedes punctor, Aedes rusticus, Anopheles claviger s.s., Anopheles plumbeus, Coquillettidia richiardii, Culex pipiens s.l., and Culiseta annulata) remains mostly unknown. Objectives: To review the vector competence of both invasive and native mosquito populations found in North-Western Europe (i.e., France, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland) for dengue, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile and Usutu viruses. Methods: A bibliographical search with research strings addressing mosquito vector competence for considered countries was performed. Results: Out of 6357 results, 119 references were related to the vector competence of mosquitoes in Western Europe. Eight species appear to be competent for at least one virus. Conclusions: Aedes albopictus is responsible for the current outbreaks. The spread of Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus increases the risk of the autochthonous transmission of these viruses. Although native species could contribute to their transmission, more studies are still needed to assess that risk.

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Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94960-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Adam Catching ◽

Sara Capponi ◽

Ming Te Yeh ◽

Simone Bianco ◽

Raul Andino

Keyword(s):

Social Distance ◽

Large Fraction ◽

Real Life ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Face Mask ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Viral Spread ◽

The Face ◽

Asymptomatic Individuals ◽

High Virus

AbstractCOVID-19’s high virus transmission rates have caused a pandemic that is exacerbated by the high rates of asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections. These factors suggest that face masks and social distance could be paramount in containing the pandemic. We examined the efficacy of each measure and the combination of both measures using an agent-based model within a closed space that approximated real-life interactions. By explicitly considering different fractions of asymptomatic individuals, as well as a realistic hypothesis of face masks protection during inhaling and exhaling, our simulations demonstrate that a synergistic use of face masks and social distancing is the most effective intervention to curb the infection spread. To control the pandemic, our models suggest that high adherence to social distance is necessary to curb the spread of the disease, and that wearing face masks provides optimal protection even if only a small portion of the population comply with social distance. Finally, the face mask effectiveness in curbing the viral spread is not reduced if a large fraction of population is asymptomatic. Our findings have important implications for policies that dictate the reopening of social gatherings.

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Morphophysiological and molecular characterization of millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) varieties for crop improvement in Western Europe

CABI Agriculture and Bioscience ◽

10.1186/s43170-021-00047-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Massimo Vischi ◽

Nicola Zorzin ◽

Maria Bernhart ◽

Johanna Winkler ◽

Dipak Santra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Western Europe ◽

Crop Improvement ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Phenotypic Traits ◽

Panicum Miliaceum ◽

Novel Foods ◽

Proso Millet ◽

Ne Italy ◽

The Usa

Abstract Background Global warming and issues in favour of a more sustainable agriculture suggest a reconsideration of minor cereals in European agrosystems. Compared to other summer crops, proso millet has a remarkable drought resistance and could be used to improve crop rotation and biodiversity. Proso millet is also increasingly sought by industry to produce novel foods such as those designed for coeliac patients. In this study, a thorough characterization of 11, commercially available, proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) varieties was carried out as a preliminary step for crop reintroduction and breeding in Western Europe. Methods The cultivars under evaluation were introduced from Austria, Poland, Russia, and the USA (University of Nebraska–Lincoln). Plants were grown at Udine (NE Italy) and Gleisdorf (Styria, Austria), under greenhouse and field conditions, respectively. Yield components and a range of morphophysiological characters were recorded in both locations. In parallel, 85 SSR markers were tested on DNA samples extracted from randomly chosen plants of each variety and the 12 responsive markers used to genotype the whole variety set. Results Morphometric analyses showed that varieties have several diverging phenotypic traits and architectures. In all instances, yields recorded at field level were much lower than potential yields. In this respect, US selections were comparable to earlier developed European varieties, suggesting that breeding for an increased adaptation is the keystone for a stable reintroduction of millet in Western Europe. Molecular analyses uncovered remarkably low genetic differences and heterozygosity levels within cultivars, confirming millet as an essentially autogamous species; in contrast, large genetic distances were noted among cultivars selected in different environments. Results of SSR genotyping combined with those originating from phenotypic analyses indicated possible crosses to source the genetic variability necessary for selection. Conclusions This study enabled the identification of cultivars that could be used to revitalize the crop in Western Europe and to produce genetically variable hybrid progenies exploitable by breeding.

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Gender-related online metalinguistic comments on Straattaal and Moroccan Flavored Dutch in the Moroccan heritage community in the Netherlands

Applied Linguistics Review ◽

10.1515/applirev-2017-0047 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 341-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jacomine Nortier

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Hong Kong ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Western Europe ◽

Basic Question ◽

Heritage Languages ◽

Male And Female ◽

Overt Attention ◽

Males And Females ◽

Linguistic Material

AbstractStraattaal (‘street language’) used by members of various ethnic groups contains linguistic material from English and several heritage languages with relatively many Sranan words. Moroccan Flavored Dutch (MFD) is Dutch with elements from Moroccan languages on the level of pronunciation, lexicon and/or grammar. Both Straattaal and MFD can be used by young Moroccan-Dutch. The basic question is: How is the use of MFD and Straattaal by Moroccan-Dutch females perceived within the Moroccan community in CMC? Data were collected by searching posts on social media. Male and female young Moroccan-Dutch comment negatively on Moroccan girls using Straattaal. However, MFD is used too, even by the same participants, receiving little overt attention. The use of and attitudes towards youth languages by females elsewhere sometimes differ from the Moroccan-Dutch context. Examples from Algeria, Indonesia and Hong Kong show that they are used by both females and men without overt negative connotations compared to Western Europe where they seem to be used predominantly by males. A possible explanation could be that there seems to be a gender restriction for varieties used as anti-languages (Halliday 1976), while youth varieties that mark socially upward mobility can be used by both males and females.

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Effects of Selection to Diflubenzuron and Bacillus thuringiensis Var. Israelensis on the Overwintering Successes of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12090822 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 822

Author(s):

Charalampos S. Ioannou ◽

Christos Hadjichristodoulou ◽

Varvara A. Mouchtouri ◽

Nikos T. Papadopoulos

Keyword(s):

Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽

Aedes Albopictus ◽

Selection Process ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Development Of Resistance ◽

Control Programmes ◽

Invasive Mosquito ◽

In The Wild ◽

Successive Generations

Aedes albopictus is an invasive mosquito species responsible for local transmission of chikungunya and dengue viruses in Europe. In the absence of available treatments, insecticides-based control remains one of the most important viable strategies to prevent emerging problems. Diflubenzuron (DFB) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) are among the most commonly used larvicides for Ae. albopictus control with consequent concerns for the potential development of resistance. Studies on the resistance emergence in Ae. albopictus and its persistence in the wild to both DFB and Bti are essential for the efficient and sustainable planning of the control programmes. In this context, larvae from a recently laboratory established population were subjected to increasing selective pressure for nine successive generations using both DFB and Bti. The resistance levels and the overwintering success of the selected populations relative to control (colonies that received no selection) were determined. Results revealed an 8.5- and 1.6-fold increase on the resistance levels following selection with DFB and Bti, respectively. The selection process to both larvicides had no apparent impacts on the overwintering capability relative to control, suggesting the successful persistence of the selected individuals in the wild on an annual base.

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