Population genomics reveal contiguous high density residential areas to be most conducive for gene flow in dengue vector Aedes albopictus

Monday, November 14, 2022

9:00 AM – 9:12 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 205

Presenting Author(s)

Huiqing Yeo

PhD student
National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore

Co-Author(s)

HT

Hui Zhen Tan

National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
QT

Qian Tang

National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
TT

Tyrone Tan

National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
JL

Jia wei Lin

National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
CH

Chanditha Hapuarachchi

Environmental Health Institute
Singapore, Singapore
NP

Nalini Puniamoorthy

National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
FR

Frank Rheindt

National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore

The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is native to the tropics and subtropics of Asia, but has gradually spread as a major disease vector worldwide. Part of its invasiveness is due to its remarkable ability to survive in a wide range of natural and artificial habitats: from forests, to degraded vegetation and urban areas. These are ubiquitous landscapes associated with many cities, and while Aedes albopictus is prevalent in most habitats, variation in how the species responds to fragmented habitats and exposure to different environmental stressors across the city matrix has not been well explored.

We obtained more than 27,000 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms of 105 individuals in a tropical and highly heterogenous dengue-endemic city. Using this comprehensive dataset, we found that despite the almost panmictic status of Ae. albopictus in Singapore, barriers and corridors to mosquito movement exist and influence fine-scale gene flow. Specifically, human-dense urban areas reflect higher gene flow rates than managed parks and forests. We additionally showed that highly heterogenous and contrasting landscape features in a city complicates inference of factors affecting gene flow.
The results from this study is important in dispelling the misconception that substantial dispersal of Ae. albopictus is limited to urban greenery, and demonstrated that the urban environment spurs the highest gene flow rates. This has wider implications on vector management and provides useful insights for incorporating urban planning to combat dengue transmission.