DOCSLIB.ORG

Protonotaria Citrea) Breeding Sites

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Protonotaria Citrea) Breeding Sites Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 2010 DISTRIBUTION AND MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF AVIAN MALARIA VECTORS ON FOUR CENTRAL VIRGINIA PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (PROTONOTARIA CITREA) BREEDING SITES Catherine Wallace Virginia Commonwealth University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons © The Author Downloaded from https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/172 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact [email protected]. © Catherine Marie Wallace 2010 All Rights Reserved DISTRIBUTION AND MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF AVIAN MALARIA VECTORS ON FOUR CENTRAL VIRGINIA PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (PROTONOTARIA CITREA) BREEDING SITES A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. by CATHERINE MARIE WALLACE Bachelor of Science, Randolph-Macon College, 2008 Director: D. C. Ghislaine Mayer Assistant Professor, Department of Biology Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia December 2010 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am very grateful to all of the people that helped during the course of this study. Without them and their support, this study would not have been possible. It is with the deepest gratitude that I thank my advisor, Dr. Ghislaine Mayer. She has been very helpful and encouraging throughout my project. I am very grateful for the opportunity she provided me by working in her lab. Dr. Kevin Caillouet was also a great help during the course of my project. His input was invaluable, especially in setting up the field work components of this study and analyzing the resulting mosquito data. I am also grateful to my other three committee members, Dr. Lesley Bulluck, Dr. Robert Reilly, and Dr. Joy Ware. Their guidance and willingness to answer my questions has been greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank Dr. Edward Boone and Subhashini Srinivasan for their patience and aid with the statistical analyses found in this study. Henrico Standing Water Initiative, especially Lane Carr, was always helpful and willing to share their knowledge. Jennifer Ciminelli was an excellent GIS teacher and also kind enough to always answer my questions about GIS. ii I am also grateful to Dr. Rebekah J. Kent and Dr. Kyeong Soon Kim for answering my questions and sharing their knowledge with me. I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Amanda Dickenson who was nice enough to provide me with amphibian DNA. My thanks also go to Mr. Green, the Henrico Park Staff, and Dr. Gaines for allowing me to set up mosquito traps at different locations. I also thank Elena Grillo and Bobby Fithian, whose work made mine possible and who never hesitated to help me. The numerous people that helped me both in the field and in the lab also have my gratitude. Field work would not have been as easy without the help of Olga Kurchova, Mark Wood, and Brittany Wampler. In the lab, John Willis, Heather Goodman, and Juhee Sharma were the extremely helpful, and this work would not have been completed as quickly without them. I would also like to thank my lab mates, Joann Seward, Sophonie Jean, and Toyin Akande, who were always encouraging and there for me in a pinch. And lastly, I‟d like to thank my family and friends who always supported me and kept me going. This research would not have been possible without the support of the Virginia Commonwealth University, the School of Graduate Studies, and the Walter and Inger Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...................................................................................................................... ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................ vii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................ viii LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................................. x ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER I: DISTRIBUTION OF MOSQUITO VECTORS THROUGHOUT FOUR PROTONOTARIA CITREA BREEDING SITES IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA .......................................................................................... 3 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Prothonotary Warblers .......................................................................................................................... 3 Avian Malaria ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Role of Migratory Birds in the Spread of Disease Transmission .......................................................... 4 Vectors of Avian Malaria ...................................................................................................................... 5 Geographical Analysis .......................................................................................................................... 6 Objective I ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Objective II ........................................................................................................................................... 7 MATERIALS AND METHODS ...................................................................................................................... 7 Study Sites and Collection .................................................................................................................... 7 Identification and Pooling ..................................................................................................................... 8 Distribution Analyses ............................................................................................................................ 9 Statistical Analyses ............................................................................................................................. 10 RESULTS .................................................................................................................................................. 10 iv Species Abundance in Prothonotary Warbler Breeding Sites in Central Virginia .............................. 10 Description of Sites using Resulting Geographic Features ................................................................. 11 Statistical Results ................................................................................................................................ 12 DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................................................. 14 Future Studies ..................................................................................................................................... 19 TABLES .................................................................................................................................................... 21 FIGURES .................................................................................................................................................. 31 CHAPTER II: ANALYSIS OF BLOOD MEALS AND AVIAN MALARIA PARASITES OF MOSQUITO VECTORS COLLECTED ON PROTONOTARIA CITREA BREEDING GROUNDS IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA .. 42 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 42 Avian Malaria and Transmission ........................................................................................................ 42 Mosquitoes as Vectors of Avian Malaria ............................................................................................ 42 Mosquito Blood Meal Identification ................................................................................................... 43 Avian Malaria Lineages ...................................................................................................................... 43 Haemoproteus ..................................................................................................................................... 44 Role of Migratory Birds in Transmission ........................................................................................... 44 Objectives ........................................................................................................................................... 45 MATERIALS AND METHODS .................................................................................................................... 46 Pooling ................................................................................................................................................ 46 DNA Extraction .................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Data-Driven Identification of Potential Zika Virus Vectors Michelle V Evans1,2*, Tad a Dallas1,3, Barbara a Han4, Courtney C Murdock1,2,5,6,7,8, John M Drake1,2,8
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Data-driven identification of potential Zika virus vectors Michelle V Evans1,2*, Tad A Dallas1,3, Barbara A Han4, Courtney C Murdock1,2,5,6,7,8, John M Drake1,2,8 1Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, United States; 2Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, United States; 3Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California-Davis, Davis, United States; 4Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, United States; 5Department of Infectious Disease, University of Georgia, Athens, United States; 6Center for Tropical Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, United States; 7Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, United States; 8River Basin Center, University of Georgia, Athens, United States Abstract Zika is an emerging virus whose rapid spread is of great public health concern. Knowledge about transmission remains incomplete, especially concerning potential transmission in geographic areas in which it has not yet been introduced. To identify unknown vectors of Zika, we developed a data-driven model linking vector species and the Zika virus via vector-virus trait combinations that confer a propensity toward associations in an ecological network connecting flaviviruses and their mosquito vectors. Our model predicts that thirty-five species may be able to transmit the virus, seven of which are found in the continental United States, including Culex quinquefasciatus and Cx. pipiens. We suggest that empirical studies prioritize these species to confirm predictions of vector competence, enabling the correct identification of populations at risk for transmission within the United States. *For correspondence: mvevans@ DOI: 10.7554/eLife.22053.001 uga.edu Competing interests: The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Malaria Mosquito Anopheles Quadrimaculatus Say (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)1 Leslie M
    EENY 491 Common Malaria Mosquito Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)1 Leslie M. Rios and C. Roxanne Connelly2 Introduction Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say is historically the most important vector of malaria in the eastern United States. Malaria was a serious plague in the United States for centuries until its final eradication in the 1950s (Rutledge et al. 2005). Despite the ostensible eradication, there are occasional cases of autochthonous (local) transmission in the U.S. vectored by An. quadrimaculatus (CDC 2003). In addition to being a vector of pathogens, An. quadri- maculatus can also be a pest species (O’Malley 1992). This species has been recognized as a complex of five sibling species (Reinert et al. 1997) and is commonly referred to as An. quadrimaculatus (sensu lato) when in a collection or identified in the field. The most common hosts are large mammals including humans. Synonymy Anopheles annulimanus Van der Wulp Figure 1. Adult female common malaria mosquito, Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say. (From Systematic Catalog of the Culicidae, Walter Reed Credits: Sean McCann, University of Florida Biosystematics Unit) Distribution Anopheles quadrimaculatus mosquitoes are primarily seen in eastern North America. They are found in the eastern United States, the southern range of Canada, and parts of Mexico south to Vera Cruz. The greatest abundance occurs 1. This document is EENY 491, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date February 2009. Revised August 2015. Reviewed October 2018. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • Mosquito Systematics VOL. 80) 1976 the ANOPHELES
    Mosquito Systematics VOL. 80) 1976 THE ANOPHELES(ANOPHELES) CRUCIANS SUBGROUP IN THE UNITED STATES (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)l BY 2 3 4 Thomas G. Floore , Bruce A. Harrison and Bruce F. Eldridge ABSTRACT. AnopheZes (AnopheZes) bradley; King, An. (Am.) crucians Wiedemann and An. (Am,) georgianus King are taxonomically redefined by morphology, eth- ology and distribution, and established as the crueians subgroup of the An. (Ano. I punetipennk (Say) species group. This study involved the examination of over 1,800 specimens and the preparation of 15 full-page illustrations. Species descriptions include sections on: type-data, synonymy, descriptions of female, male,pupa, and larva, distribution, taxonomic discussion, biono- mics and medical importance. Keys for the erueians subgroup are presented for male genitalia, pupae and 4th stage larvae. Additional keys are present- ed, in an appendix, to separate the erueians subgroup from the other southeas- tern United States anophelines. The 1st through 4th stage larvae of bradZeyi and erueians, the 4th stage larva of georgtinus and the pupae of bradkyi and georgianus are completely illustrated for the first time. Tables with the ranges of setal branching are included for the 4th stage larvae and pupae of each species. 'This work was supported in part by Research Contract DAMD-17-74-C-4086 from the U. S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Office of the Sur- geon General, through the Medical Entomology Project (MEP), Smithsonian In- stitution, Washington, D. C. 20560. 2 Environmental Services Department, P. 0. Box 658, Eaton Park, Florida 33840. 3 Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607.
    [Show full text]
  • Mosquito Management Procedures
    Mosquito Management Procedures Mosquito management is a multi-disciplinary subject that combines the art of understanding mosquito behavior with the science of knowing how to locate and control mosquito populations. All mosquito management programs worldwide have their own unique control measures for their own specific management problems. However, the primary goal of all mosquito management programs is to enhance the health and comfort of the citizens. As with all career fields, the mosquito control industry has its own specific terminology. The following is a list of some of the more common terms. • Adulticide: an insecticide used to kill adult insects. • Larvicide: an insecticide used to kill larval (immature) insects. • Ultra Low Volume: commonly known as ULV, a method of applying adulticides at volumes less than 10 ounces per acre. • Thermal Fog: commonly known as fogger, a method of applying adulticides mixed with a carrying agent, usually diesel fuel, and heating it to form a fog. • Drift: the direction and distance the spray travels after leaving the spray head. • Crepuscular: the hours between one-half hour before and after sunset and one-half hour before and after sunrise. • Atomize: to reduce to minute particles or a fine spray. • Landing Rate: a surveillance method used to determine adult mosquito populations by counting the mosquitoes that land on the front half of your body for one minute. Mosquito Biology There are approximately 45 different species of mosquitoes in Lake County. However, only a few of these species have the potential of transmitting diseases and, therefore, are a primary concern for management purposes. Mosquito Species of Primary Concern Aedes aegypti Culiseta melanura Aedes albopictus Aedes vexans Coquillettidia perturbans Anopheles crucians Mansonia dyari Anopheles quadrimaculatus Mansonia titillans Culex nigripalpus Culex quinquefasciatus Culex salinarius Mosquito eggs are generally cylindrical in shape, tapered at the top and rounded at the bottom.
    [Show full text]
  • Interactions Between the Invasive Burmese Python, Python Bivittatus Kuhl, and the Local Mosquito Community in Florida, USA Lawrence E
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln USDA National Wildlife Research Center - Staff U.S. Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Publications Health Inspection Service 2018 Interactions between the invasive Burmese python, Python bivittatus Kuhl, and the local mosquito community in Florida, USA Lawrence E. Reeves University of Florida, [email protected] Kenneth L. Krysko Florida Museum of Natural History Michael L. Avery USDA National Wildlife Research Center, [email protected] Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman University of Florida Akito Y. Kawahara University of Florida See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdm_usdanwrc Part of the Life Sciences Commons Reeves, Lawrence E.; Krysko, Kenneth L.; Avery, Michael L.; Gillett-Kaufman, Jennifer L.; Kawahara, Akito Y.; Connelly, C. Roxanne; and Kaufman, Phillip E., "Interactions between the invasive Burmese python, Python bivittatus Kuhl, and the local mosquito community in Florida, USA" (2018). USDA National Wildlife Research Center - Staff Publications. 2041. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdm_usdanwrc/2041 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USDA National Wildlife Research Center - Staff ubP lications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Authors Lawrence E. Reeves, Kenneth L. Krysko, Michael L. Avery, Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, Akito Y. Kawahara, C. Roxanne Connelly, and Phillip E. Kaufman This article is available at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdm_usdanwrc/ 2041 RESEARCH ARTICLE Interactions between the invasive Burmese python, Python bivittatus Kuhl, and the local mosquito community in Florida, USA Lawrence E.
    [Show full text]
  • Species Together with Anopheles Quadrimaculatus Is Also Included
    EXPERIMENTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MALARIA PARASITES IN THREE AMERICAN SPECIES OF ANOPHELES. BY W. V. KING, PH.D. (From the Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., and the Laboratories of Clinical Medicine of the School of Medicine o/Tutane University, New Orleans.) PLATES 98 TO 105. (Received for publication, March 20, 1916.) The early results of experiments to determine the susceptibility of Anopheles punctipennis to infection with the parasites of ter- tian malaria have been recorded in two recent articles by the writer (1915-1916). In these it was shown that this species is an efficient host of Plasmodium vivax, and in the second article a foot-note was appended stating that it had also proven to be a host of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite of estivo-autumnal malaria. In the present paper are given further details of this series of experiments in which the susceptibility of Anopheles crucians, as well as of Anopheles punctipennis, has been established. The in- formation acquired upon the relative susceptibility of these two species together with Anopheles quadrimaculatus is also included. A study of the literature applying to this subject has revealed the fact that an extremely small amount of experimental work has actu- ally been done with the species of Anopheles occurring in the United States. The experiments with Anopheles punctipennis were contra- dictory and inconclusive, and, as stated in the previous articles, the impression had become current that it was not a factor in the transmission of malaria. The proof of its efficiency as a host of malaria parasites does not, of course, establish the degree of its im- portance in the transmission of malaria.
    [Show full text]
  • Mosquito Collections Following Local Transmission of Pi^A,S M Od I Um Falc I Paru M Malaria in Westmoreland County, Virginia
    Jourtal of the Ameican Mosquito Control Association, 16(3):219-222,2O00 Copyright @ 2000 by the American Mosquito Control Association, Inc. MOSQUITO COLLECTIONS FOLLOWING LOCAL TRANSMISSION OF PI^A,S M OD I UM FALC I PARU M MALARIA IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA DANIEL STRICKMAN,' THOMAS GAFFIGAN,' ROBERT A. WIRTZ,' MARK Q. BENEDICT' CRISTINA SALAZAR IU{IrI]ERTY.2 RACHEL S. BARWICK'AND HOLLY A. WILLIAMS' ABSTRACT. A 63-year-old woman from Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County, VA, was diagnosed with Pl.asmodiumfalciparum malaria on July 19, 1998. The woman had no history of international travel, intravenous drug use, blood transfusion, or other risk factor for contracting the disease. She seldom left the county and generally spent her evenings indoors, leading to the conclusion that she had been bitten locally by an infected mosquito. Colonial Beach is host to a population of migrant agricultural laborers from areas in which malaria occurs, but a blood survey of 89 Haitians and Mexicans failed to find Plastnodiwn parasites, specific antibodies, or clinical cases of malaria. Mosquito surveys were conducted during 2 days (July 22 and 28, 1998) with carbon- dioxide-baited light traps, larval and pupal collections, and landing collections. Thirteen species of mosquitoes were identified morphologically, including 4 potential vectors: Anopheles crucians, An. punctipennis, An. smar- agdinus (new state record), and An. quadrimaculatzs s.s. (new state record). Identifications of the latter 2 species were confirmed by sequencing ofthe ITS2 DNA region from adults reared from locally collected larvae. Anoph- eles smaragdinzs was the most cornmon biting species among the potential vectors, although An.
    [Show full text]
  • North American Wetlands and Mosquito Control
    Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9, 4537-4605; doi:10.3390/ijerph9124537 OPEN ACCESS International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ISSN 1660-4601 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph Article North American Wetlands and Mosquito Control Jorge R. Rey 1,*, William E. Walton 2, Roger J. Wolfe 3, C. Roxanne Connelly 1, Sheila M. O’Connell 1, Joe Berg 4, Gabrielle E. Sakolsky-Hoopes 5 and Aimlee D. Laderman 6 1 Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory and Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida-IFAS, Vero Beach, FL 342962, USA; E-Mails: [email protected] (R.C.); [email protected] (S.M.O.C.) 2 Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] 3 Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Franklin, CT 06254, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] 4 Biohabitats, Inc., 2081 Clipper Park Road, Baltimore, MD 21211, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] 5 Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] 6 Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-772-778-7200 ext 136. Received: 11 September 2012; in revised form: 21 November 2012 / Accepted: 22 November 2012 / Published: 10 December 2012 Abstract: Wetlands are valuable habitats that provide important social, economic, and ecological services such as flood control, water quality improvement, carbon sequestration, pollutant removal, and primary/secondary production export to terrestrial and aquatic food chains. There is disagreement about the need for mosquito control in wetlands and about the techniques utilized for mosquito abatement and their impacts upon wetlands ecosystems.
    [Show full text]
  • The Insects Are Never Anophelines. the Mosquito Can Not Infect A
    FIELD IDENTIFICATION OF MALARIA-CARRYING MOSQUITOES. As the transmission of malaria from one individual to another is effected through the exclusive agency of Anopheles mosquitoes, it is desirable that data for the field identification of the commoner of these insects be available to health officers and others concerned. The following schematic outline has been prepared with the idea of affording untrained observers a ready means of identification. For use in the field a small hand lens, magnifying from two to four dlianrieters, is of service, although not essential. Mosquitoes are distinguished from other similar appearing insects by the fringe of scales along the posterior border of their single pair of wings, the wing veins being also fringed with scales. If the insect in hand lacks the posterior fringe of scales it does not belong FIG. 2.-Wing of Diptera mistaken FIG. 1.- Wing of Culex pungens-Berkeley, 1902, for mosquito-F. V. Theobald, Laboratory work with nosquitoes, p. 35, Fig. 27. Vol. 1, 1901, p. 92, Fig. 23. to the mosquito family, however much it may resemble that insect in appearance. There are three families of insects, the sand flies, the crane flies, and the midge flies, which may be confused with mosquitoes, but ordinarily the health officer will encounter little difficulty in making the, differentiation even without examining the wing structure. The sand flies of the United States are much smaller in size than mosquitoes, while the crane flies are not only larger, but the body is long and slender and the length of the legs such as to be out of proportion even to that of the body.
    [Show full text]
  • Mississippi Mosquito Blood Meals and Haemosporidians
    Mississippi State University Scholars Junction Theses and Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 1-1-2019 Mississippi Mosquito Blood Meals and Haemosporidians Jessica Aycock Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td Recommended Citation Aycock, Jessica, "Mississippi Mosquito Blood Meals and Haemosporidians" (2019). Theses and Dissertations. 3112. https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/3112 This Graduate Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Scholars Junction. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholars Junction. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Template C v3.0 (beta): Created by J. Nail 06/2015 Mississippi mosquito blood meals and haemosporidians By TITLE PAGE Jessica Aycock A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Mississippi State University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biological Sciences in the Department of Biological Sciences Mississippi State, Mississippi May 2019 Copyright by COPYRIGHT PAGE Jessica Aycock 2019 Mississippi mosquito blood meals and haemosporidians By APPROVAL PAGE Jessica Aycock Approved: ____________________________________ Diana C. Outlaw (Major Professor) ____________________________________ Jerome Goddard (Minor Professor) ____________________________________ Andrea S. Varela-Stokes (Committee Member) ____________________________________ Brandon Barton (Committee Member)
    [Show full text]
  • Investigating Phylogenetic Relationships of Mosquito-Borne Avian Malaria in Mississippi
    Mississippi State University Scholars Junction Theses and Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 1-1-2015 Investigating Phylogenetic Relationships of Mosquito-Borne Avian Malaria in Mississippi David Alan Larson Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td Recommended Citation Larson, David Alan, "Investigating Phylogenetic Relationships of Mosquito-Borne Avian Malaria in Mississippi" (2015). Theses and Dissertations. 2809. https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/2809 This Graduate Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Scholars Junction. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholars Junction. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Automated Template A: Created by James Nail 2011 V2.02 Investigating phylogenetic relationships of mosquito-borne avian malaria in Mississippi By David Alan Larson A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Mississippi State University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Master of Master of Science in Biological Sciences in the Department of Biological Sciences Mississippi State, Mississippi December 2015 Copyright by David Alan Larson 2015 Investigating phylogenetic relationships of mosquito-borne avian malaria in Mississippi By David Alan Larson Approved: ____________________________________ Diana C. Outlaw (Major Professor) ____________________________________ Christopher P. Brooks (Committee Member) ____________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Could Culicine Mosquitoes Transmit Human Malaria?
    Review Could culicine mosquitoes transmit human malaria? Alvaro Molina-Cruz, Tovi Lehmann, and Julia Kno¨ ckel Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA Human malaria is known to be transmitted strictly by having significant epidemiological implications, solving anopheline mosquitoes. Culicine mosquitoes such as this question might shed light onto Plasmodium biology Aedes spp. and Culex spp. are important vectors of and its host specificity and help in uncovering powerful other human pathogens including viruses and filarial mechanisms that block Plasmodium development in the worms, but have never been observed to transmit mam- mosquito. malian malarias. Culicines do transmit avian malarias For the adaptation of a parasite to a new vector in and, interestingly, allow partial development of mam- nature, several conditions have to be met in terms of vector malian-infectious Plasmodium parasites, implying that competence and capacity (Box 1). This would require at physiological barriers in the mosquitoes prevent para- least one parasite genotype overcoming all of the physio- site transmission. Although the mechanism(s) are not logical barriers encountered in the new vector, and ecologi- known, the mosquito immune system is probably in- cal circumstances promoting adaptation to a new vector, volved in eliminating Plasmodium. However, Plasmodi- which would necessitate a higher benefit than cost to the um has shown substantial capacity to adapt to new parasite. vectors, and current ecological changes caused by During the ‘normal’ life cycle of Plasmodium within a humans could promote adaptation of human-infectious susceptible mosquito (Figure 1), male and female gameto- Plasmodium parasites to culicines.
    [Show full text]