Assessing the acoustic behaviour of Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) dsxF mutants: implications for vector control

• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04382-x
• Publication Date: 2020-10-07T10:03:16Z
• Authors: Matthew P. Su; Marcos Georgiades; Judit Bagi; Kyros Kyrou; Andrea Crisanti; Joerg T. Albert
• Keywords: Doublesex; Anopheles gambiae

Abstract Background Release of gene-drive mutants to suppress Anopheles mosquito reproduction is a promising method malaria control. However, many scientific, regulatory and ethical questions remain before transgenic mosquitoes can be utilised in the field. At behavioural level, carrying should at least as sexually attractive wildtype populations they compete against, with key element copulation being acoustic courtship. We analysed sound emissions preference doublesex mutant previously used collapse gambiae ( s.l. ) cages. Methods rely on flight tones produced by beating their wings for mating communication. assessed impact disrupting female-specific isoform gene dsxF wing beat frequency (WBF; measured tone males (XY) females (XX) homozygous − −/− ), heterozygous carriers +/− G3 + controls / ). To exclude non-genetic influences, we controlled temperature length. phonotaxis assay test preferences control mosquitoes. Results A previous study showed an altered phenotype only females, who appear intersex, suggesting that allele haplosufficient. identified significant, dose-dependent increases WBF both compared females. All female WBFs remained significantly lower than male equivalents, though. Males stronger phonotactic responses those found no evidence any genotype. No genotypes displayed deviations from controls. Conclusions prerequisite anopheline attraction towards within swarms. Reductions attractiveness diminish efficiency thus efficacy population efforts. Caged assessments may not successfully reproduce natural scenarios. propose amend existing testing protocols better reflect competition between target populations. Our findings confirm disruption has effect males; some phenotypic traits, such WBFs, effects rather