Abstract
Thermosensation provides vital inputs for the malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles gambiae which utilizes heat-sensitivity within a broad spectrum of behaviors, most notably, the localization of human hosts for blood feeding. In this study, we examine thermosensory behaviors in larval-stage An. gambiae, which as a result of their obligate aquatic habitats and importance for vectorial capacity, represents an opportunistic target for vector control as part of the global campaign to eliminate malaria. As is the case for adults, immature mosquitoes respond differentially to a diverse array of external heat stimuli. In addition, larvae exhibit a striking phenotypic plasticity in thermal-driven behaviors that are established by temperature at which embryonic development occurs. Within this spectrum, RNAi-directed gene-silencing studies provide evidence for the essential role of the Transient Receptor Potential sub-family A1 (TRPA1) channel in mediating larval thermal-induced locomotion and thermal preference within a discrete upper range of ambient temperatures.
Highlights
Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (Diptera: Culicidae) is the principal sub-Saharan vector of human malaria that causes over a million deaths annually [1]
In order to continue the exploration of peripheral thermosensation and in particular, the role of AgTRPA1 in this context, we focus on latestage larvae that represents a critical developmental window in establishing vectorial capacity of An. gambiae
In order to understand the molecular processes by which mosquito larvae sense external thermal signals, we first investigated the impact of ambient temperature on larval locomotion
Summary
Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (Diptera: Culicidae) is the principal sub-Saharan vector of human malaria that causes over a million deaths annually [1]. As is true for all mosquitoes, An. gambiae goes through pre-adult development spanning egg, larval and pupal life stages in aqueous environments. This period typically lasts between 5 and 14 days, depending on population density, food level and water temperatures in larval habitats [2]. Previous studies have taken advantage of both simplicity and reproducibility of larval An. gambiae to explore the basic principles underlying adult olfactory-driven responses, which serve as a foundation for further exploration of other aspects of larval sensory biology [5,6]
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