Population structure and ancestry prediction of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) supports a single African origin of Colombian populations

• Published in: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Vol. 116; p. e200441
• Main Authors: Monsalve, Yoman, Triana-Chávez, Omar, Gómez-Palacio, Andrés
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 01-01-2021; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
• Subjects: Aedes aegypti; Colombia; genetics; microsatellites; Original; PARASITOLOGY; population structure; TROPICAL MEDICINE; microsatellites; Colombia; Aedes aegypti; genetics; population structure
• ISSN: 0074-0276; 1678-8060; 1678-8060
• DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200441

BACKGROUNDA previous phylogeographic study revealed two Aedes aegypti African-related mitochondrial lineages distributed in Colombian's cities with different eco-epidemiologic characteristics with regard to dengue virus (DENV). It has been proposed these lineages might indicate independent invasion sources. OBJECTIVESAssessing to Colombian population structure and to support evidence of its probable source origin. METHODSWe analysed a total of 267 individuals from cities of Bello, Riohacha and Villavicencio, which 241 were related to the West and East African mitochondrial lineages (termed here as WAL and EAL, respectively). Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were analysed aiming population structure. FINDINGSResults indicate substantial gene flow among distant and low-connected cities composing a panmictic population with incipient local differentiation of Ae. aegypti is placed in Colombia. Likewise, genetic evidence indicates no significant differences among individuals related to WAL and EAL is placed. MAIN CONCLUSIONSMinimal genetic differentiation in low-connected Ae. aegypti populations of Colombia, and lack concordance between mitochondrial and nuclear genealogies suggest that Colombian Ae. aegypti shared a common demographic history. Under this scenario, we suggest current Ae. aegypti population structure reflects a single origin instead of contemporary migration, which founding populations have a single source from a mitochondrial polymorphic African ancient.