Defining Virus-Carrier Networks That Shape the Composition of the Mosquito Core Virome of an Ecosystem
Abstract BackgroundMosquitoes are the most important vectors of emerging infectious diseases. During the past decade, our understanding of the diversity of viruses they carry has greatly expanded. Most of these viruses are considered mosquito-specific, while there is increasing evidence that these viruses may affect mosquito vector potential. Metagenomics approaches have focused on specific mosquito species for the identification of what is called core virome. However, in most ecosystems, multiple species may participate in virus emergence and circulation, while there is lack of understanding on the viruses-carrier/host network for both vector-borne and mosquito-specific viruses. Results Here, we studied the core mosquito virome in a diverse ecosystem comprised of 24 different mosquito species. Analysis of these 24 diverse viromes resulted in the discovery of 35 viruses with known genetic traits and 9 novel viruses. Comparison of the viromes of the 24 individual species revealed novel relationships between mosquito species and virus families, as most of the mosquito species had never been analysed in the past. Groups of related viruses and mosquito species from multiple genera formed a complex network in the ecosystem. Analyses of whole traps of mosquitoes of variable composition not only showed a stable core virome for each species but also a relationship between mosquito population and virome composition.ConclusionsOur study highlighted the importance of a holistic approach regarding mosquito viromes in rich and diverse ecosystems. Our data further supported the idea of a stable core virome, characteristic of each mosquito species. The remarkable stability of the core virome seemed to determine the composition of the total mosquito core virome of a habitat in the ecosystem.