Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Dark-Highlighting the Importance of Genetically Identifying Mosquito Populations in Subterranean Environments of Central Europe.

Carina Zittra,Alexander M Weigand,Joana Teixeira,Bernadette Schindelegger,Dieter Weber,Simon Vitecek,Francis Schaffner

doi:10.3390/pathogens10091090

Abstract

The common house mosquito, Culex pipiens s. l. is part of the morphologically hardly or non-distinguishable Culex pipiens complex. Upcoming molecular methods allowed us to identify members of mosquito populations that are characterized by differences in behavior, physiology, host and habitat preferences and thereof resulting in varying pathogen load and vector potential to deal with. In the last years, urban and surrounding periurban areas were of special interest due to the higher transmission risk of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Recently, surveys of underground habitats were performed to fully evaluate the spatial distribution of rare members of the Cx. pipiens complex in Europe. Subterranean environments and their contribution to mosquito-borne pathogen transmission are virtually unknown. Herein, we review the underground community structures of this species complex in Europe, add new data to Germany and provide the first reports of the Cx. pipiens complex and usually rarely found mosquito taxa in underground areas of Luxembourg. Furthermore, we report the first finding of Culiseta glaphyroptera in Luxembourg. Our results highlight the need for molecular specimen identifications to correctly and most comprehensively characterize subterranean mosquito community structures.

Highlights

IntroductionThe globally distributed Culex pipiens complex (or Culex pipiens assemblage sensu Harbach, 2012) consists of several taxa: Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. pipiens pallens, Cx. australicus and the nominate taxon Culex pipiens in Europe [1]
The globally distributed Culex pipiens complex consists of several taxa: Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. pipiens pallens, Cx. australicus and the nominate taxon Culex pipiens in Europe [1]
In Germany, 151 specimens belonging to the Cx. pipiens complex were molecularly analyzed (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The globally distributed Culex pipiens complex (or Culex pipiens assemblage sensu Harbach, 2012) consists of several taxa: Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. pipiens pallens, Cx. australicus and the nominate taxon Culex pipiens in Europe [1] The latter taxon includes two behaviorally and genetically distinct forms (‘f.’), Cx. pipiens f. Different host and habitat preferences of both forms and their hybrid offspring potentially lead to distinct roles in host-vector-pathogen dynamics: In contrast to Cx. pipiens f. Pipiens is reported to prefer avian hosts, while the host and habitat preference of their cross-bred offspring is not sufficiently known They have contrasting strategies to survive winter, where female Cx. pipiens f. They have contrasting strategies to survive winter, where female Cx. pipiens f. molestus remain active but female Cx. pipiens f. pipiens overwinter undergoing diapause in shelters associated with human settlements like cellars or attics [8]

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