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. 2016 Aug 17:9:455.
doi: 10.1186/s13071-016-1725-9.

Ecological differentiation of members of the Culex pipiens complex, potential vectors of West Nile virus and Rift Valley fever virus in Algeria

Raouf Amara Korba  1   2 , Moufida Saoucen Alayat  3 , Lazhari Bouiba  4 , Abdelkarim Boudrissa  4 , Zihad Bouslama  5 , Slimane Boukraa  6 , Frederic Francis  6 , Anna-Bella Failloux  7 , Saïd Chaouki Boubidi  4
Affiliations

Ecological differentiation of members of the Culex pipiens complex, potential vectors of West Nile virus and Rift Valley fever virus in Algeria

Raouf Amara Korba et al. Parasit Vectors. .

Abstract

Background: We investigated the ecological differentiation of two members of the Culex pipiens complex, Cx. p. pipiens form pipiens and Cx. p. pipiens form molestus in three sites, El-Kala, M'Sila and Tinerkouk in Algeria. These two forms are the most widespread mosquito vectors in temperate regions exhibiting important behavioural and physiological differences. Nevertheless, this group of potential vectors has been poorly studied, particularly in North Africa.

Methods: Ten larval populations of Cx. p. pipiens were sampled from various above- and underground habitats in three zones representing the three bioclimatic regions in Algeria. The reproduction characteristics were also investigated in the laboratory to define the rates of autogeny and stenogamy. Identification of Cx. p. pipiens members present in Algeria was achieved using a molecular analysis with the microsatellite CQ11 locus.

Results: We detected larvae of Cx. p. pipiens in all areas suggesting that the species is a ubiquitous mosquito well adapted to various environments. To our knowledge, this study provides the first molecular evidence of the presence of the Cx. p. pipiens form molestus and hybrids (molestus/pipiens) in Algeria with a high proportion of molestus form (48.3 %) in comparison with hybrids (36.8 %) and pipiens form (14.9 %).

Conclusions: Some unexpected correlations between the proportion of forms pipiens, molestus and hybrids, and mosquito biological characteristics were observed suggesting some epigenetic effects controlling Cx. p. pipiens mating and reproduction. Consequences for pathogen transmission are discussed.

Keywords: Algeria; Autogeny; CQ11; Culex pipiens complex; Hybrid; Molestus; Stenogamy.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Localization of Cx. p. pipiens samples collected in 2010 in Algeria
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Different types of breeding sites where Cx. p. pipiens populations were sampled. a Underground-rural El-Kala. b Aboveground-rural El-Kala. c Underground sub-urban El-Kala. d Aboveground urban El-Kala. e Underground urban El-Kala. f  Aboveground sub-urban M’Sila
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Proportions of autogenous/anautogenous Cx. p. pipiens collected in El-Kala (a) and in underground breeding sites in urban environments (b). Error bars indicate the 95 % confidence interval
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Proportions of stenogamous / eurygamous Cx. p. pipiens collected in El-Kala (a), M’Sila (b), Tinerkouk (c), and in underground breeding sites in urban environments (d). Error bars indicate the 95 % confidence interval
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Fecundity expressed by the mean number of eggs laid by mosquitoes collected in El-Kala (a), M’Sila (b), Tinerkouk (c), and in underground breeding sites in urban environments (d). Error bars indicate the 95 % confidence interval
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Fertility corresponding to the mean number of eggs hatched from eggs laid by mosquitoes collected in El-Kala (a), M’Sila (b), Tinerkouk (c), and in underground breeding sites in urban environments (d). Error bars indicate the 95 % confidence interval
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