wMel Wolbachia genome remains stable after 7 years in Australian Aedes aegypti field populations

• DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000641
• Publication Date: 2021-09-01T13:17:21Z
• Authors: Kimberley R. Dainty; Jane Hawkey; Louise M. Judd; Etiene C. Pacidônio; Johanna M. Duyvestyn; Daniela S. Gonçalves; Silk Yu Lin; Tanya B. O'Donnell; Scott L. O'Neill; Cameron P. Simmons; Kathryn E. Holt; Heather A. Flores
• Keywords: Introgression; Synteny; Cytoplasmic incompatibility

Infection of wMel Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti imparts two signature features that enable its application for biocontrol dengue. First, the susceptibility mosquitoes to viruses such as dengue and Zika is reduced. Second, a reproductive manipulation caused enables introgression into wild-type mosquito populations. The long-term success this method relies, part, on evolution genome not compromising critical make it an attractive tool. This study compared at time initial releases 1-7 years post-release Cairns, Australia. Our results show remains highly conserved up 7 gene sequence, content, synteny structure. work suggests stable new host and, therefore, provides reassurance potential deliver public-health impacts.