How Mating Behavior Spreads Fungi in Mosquitoes
Author Information
Author(s): Filiberto Reyes-Villanueva, Javier A Garza-Hernandez, Alberto M Garcia-Munguia, Patricia Tamez-Guerra, Annabel FV Howard, Mario A Rodriguez-Perez
Primary Institution: Instituto Politécnico Nacional
Hypothesis
Can mating behavior in Aedes aegypti facilitate the spread of Metarhizium anisopliae fungi?
Conclusion
The highly virulent strain of M. anisopliae significantly increased mortality and reduced fecundity in Aedes aegypti females through sexual transmission.
Supporting Evidence
- The hv strain caused 85% of females to become infected after mating.
- Females exposed to the hv strain had a fecundity reduction of nearly 99%.
- The LT50 for females confined with hv-contaminated males was 7.57 days.
Takeaway
When male mosquitoes infected with a special fungus mate with female mosquitoes, they can spread the fungus, which makes the females sick and stops them from having babies.
Methodology
Two strains of M. anisopliae were tested on Aedes aegypti females to evaluate mortality, infection, insemination, and fecundity rates after exposure to contaminated males.
Limitations
The study did not register the incidence of mating attempts and their associated infection rates.
Participant Demographics
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, both males and females, from a colony established in Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.0001
Statistical Significance
p < 0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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