Stable high-density and maternally inherited Wolbachia infections in Anopheles moucheti and Anopheles demeilloni mosquitoes

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.03.056
• Publication Date: 2021-04-15T08:31:14Z
• Authors: Thomas Walker; Shannon Quek; Claire L. Jeffries; Janvier Bandibabone; Vishaal Dhokiya; Roland Bamou; Mojca Kristan; Louisa A. Messenger; Alexandra Gidley; Emily A. Hornett; Enyia R. Anderson; Cintia Cansado-Ut...; Shivanand Hegde; Chimanuka Bantuzeko; Jennifer C. Steve...; Neil F. Lobo; Simon C. Wagstaff; Christophe Antoni...; Seth R. Irish; Eva Heinz; Grant L. Hughes
• Keywords: Cytoplasmic incompatibility; Anopheles gambiae; Plasmodium (life cycle)

Wolbachia, a widespread bacterium that can reduce pathogen transmission in mosquitoes, has recently been reported to be present Anopheles (An.) species. In wild populations of the An. gambiae complex, primary vectors Plasmodium malaria Sub-Saharan Africa, Wolbachia DNA sequences at low density and infection frequencies have detected. As majority studies used highly sensitive nested PCR as only method detection, more robust evidence is required determine whether strains are established endosymbionts Here, we describe high-density infections geographically diverse moucheti demeilloni. Fluorescent situ hybridization localized heavy ovaries moucheti, maternal was observed. Genome sequencing both obtained genome depths coverages comparable those other known infections. Notably, homologs cytoplasmic incompatibility factor (cif) genes were present, indicating these possess capacity induce phenotype, which allows spread through host populations. These should further investigated candidates for use biocontrol strategies aiming malaria.