Abstract
The microbiota is increasingly recognized for its ability to influence host health and individual fitness through multiple pathways, such as nutrient synthesis, immune system development, and even behavioral processes. Most of these studies though focus on the direct effects microbiota has on its host, but they do not consider possible interactions with other individuals. However, host microbiota can change not only host behavior but also the behavior of other individuals or species toward the host. For example, microbes can have an effect on animal chemistry, influencing animal behaviors mediated by chemical communication, such as mosquito attraction. We know that host skin microbes play a major role in odor production and thus can affect the behavior of mosquitoes leading to differences in attraction to their hosts. Ultimately, the vector feeding preference of mosquitoes conditions the risk of vertebrates of coming into contact with a vector-borne pathogen, affecting its transmission, and thus epidemiology of vector-borne diseases. In this mini review, I provide an overview of the current status of research on the interaction between mosquito behavior and host skin microbiota, both in humans and other vertebrates. I consider as well the factors that influence vertebrate skin microbiota composition, such as sex, genetic makeup, and infection status, and discuss the implications for pathogen transmission.
Highlights
In a world dominated by microorganisms, animals host diverse microbial communities on different body parts
The differences in attractiveness of individuals and species to mosquitoes may be explained by variation in the microbiota composition
Mosquitoes with different host feeding preferences may be responding to different odor profiles generated by different microbiota composition or specific bacteria
Summary
In a world dominated by microorganisms, animals host diverse microbial communities on different body parts. Skin/ feather microbiota that differs in composition and in the abundance of certain bacteria species will generate a characteristic odor profile for each individual (Theis et al, 2012; Leclaire et al, 2014).
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