Dataset Information

Range expansion of Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex pipiens hybrids across mid-latitudes of North America.

ABSTRACT: We investigated recent reports of a northward expansion of Culex quinquefasciatus and hybrids of the Culex pipiens species complex, important vectors of West Nile virus in mid-latitudes of North America. Because Cx. quinquefasciatus more readily feeds on both birds and mammals, its movement into higher latitudes may increase the risk of WNV spillover from avian reservoirs to humans. Using an Ace2 PCR assay, we identified species and detected hybridization in mosquito specimens from 26 sites across the continental U.S. Our results reveal a strong latitudinal gradient in hybrid index values, consistent with climatic filtering of overwintering traits such as diapause. We detected both northward expansion of Cx. quinquefasciatus alleles and southward introgression of Cx. pipiens, with admixture occurring beyond previously defined hybrid zone boundaries. Hybrid zone structure varied regionally: the East Coast exhibited sharp latitudinal structuring of hybridization patterns; the Central U.S. showed broader corridors of admixture; and the Mountain/Southwest and West Coast zones of secondary contact displayed patchy Cx. quinquefasciatus distributions consistent with a mosaic hybrid zone. These patterns suggest incomplete reproductive isolation, with limits to interbreeding likely shaped by ecological barriers, such as winter survival constraints, and region-specific colonization histories. As climate change relaxes overwintering barriers and urbanization alters host and habitat availability, this hybrid zone may become increasingly dynamic and spatially complex. By updating the distribution of Cx. quinquefasciatus and hybrids, this study provides critical data for tracking range shifts, improving vector surveillance, and refining our understanding of WNV risk. More broadly, it advances integrated approaches to public health by linking mosquito ecology and evolution to emerging disease risk in both human and wildlife populations.

SUBMITTER: Saarman N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12482292 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Range expansion of Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex pipiens hybrids across mid-latitudes of North America.

Saarman Norah N Graybeal Katelyn K Seeley Tyler T Calhoun Emily E Jenkins Eric E Moraes Andre De Lima AL Faiman Roy R Markle Hannah H Pellegrini Rachael R Arent Skylar S Gloria-Soria Andrea A

One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 20250915

We investigated recent reports of a northward expansion of Culex quinquefasciatus and hybrids of the Culex pipiens species complex, important vectors of West Nile virus in mid-latitudes of North America. Because Cx. quinquefasciatus more readily feeds on both birds and mammals, its movement into higher latitudes may increase the risk of WNV spillover from avian reservoirs to humans. Using an Ace2 PCR assay, we identified species and detected hybridization in mosquito specime ...[more]

PMID: 41036083

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Project description:The genomes of three major mosquito vectors of human diseases, including Anopheles gambiae, Aedes aegypti, and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, have been previously sequenced. C. p. quinquefasciatus has the largest number of predicted protein-coding genes, which partially results from the expansion of three detoxification gene families: cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450), glutathione S-transferases (GST), and carboxylcholinesterases (CCE). However, unlike A. gambiae and A. aegypti, which have large amounts of gene expression data, C. p. quinquefasciatus has limited transcriptomic resources. Knowledge of complete gene expression information is very important for the exploration of the functions of genes involved in specific biological processes. In the present study, the three detoxification gene families of C. p. quinquefasciatus were analyzed for phylogenetic classification and compared with those of three other dipteran insects. Gene expression during various developmental stages and the differential expression responsible for parathion resistance were profiled using the digital gene expression (DGE) technique. Results: A total of 291 detoxification genes were found in C. p. quinquefasciatus, including 70 CCE, 186 P450, and 35 GST genes. Compared with three other dipteran species, gene expansion in Culex mainly occurred in the CCE and P450 families, where the genes of α-esterases, juvenile hormone esterases, and CYP325 of the CYP4 subfamily showed the most pronounced expansion on the genome. A total of 13314 genes were expressed in five DGE libraries. Genes with signal transduction and odorant binding functions were prominently expressed during egg development. Genes involved in proteolysis, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, and purine metabolism were preferentially expressed at the larval stage. Seventy five percent of the detoxification genes were found to be expressed. One fourth of the CCE and P450 genes were expressed at unique stages, indicating their developmentally regulated expression. Fifteen detoxification genes, including 2 CCEs, 6 GSTs, and 7 P450s, were expressed at higher levels in a parathion-resistant strain than in a susceptible strain. Conclusion: The results of the present study provide new insights into the functions and evolution of three detoxification gene families in mosquitoes and comprehensive transcriptomic resources for C. p. quinquefasciatus, which will facilitate the elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying the different biological characteristics of the three major mosquito vectors. Raw data were deposited in SRA and assigned accession number SRA049959: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sra?term=SRA049959

Project description:The genomes of three major mosquito vectors of human diseases, including Anopheles gambiae, Aedes aegypti, and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, have been previously sequenced. C. p. quinquefasciatus has the largest number of predicted protein-coding genes, which partially results from the expansion of three detoxification gene families: cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450), glutathione S-transferases (GST), and carboxylcholinesterases (CCE). However, unlike A. gambiae and A. aegypti, which have large amounts of gene expression data, C. p. quinquefasciatus has limited transcriptomic resources. Knowledge of complete gene expression information is very important for the exploration of the functions of genes involved in specific biological processes. In the present study, the three detoxification gene families of C. p. quinquefasciatus were analyzed for phylogenetic classification and compared with those of three other dipteran insects. Gene expression during various developmental stages and the differential expression responsible for parathion resistance were profiled using the digital gene expression (DGE) technique. Results: A total of 291 detoxification genes were found in C. p. quinquefasciatus, including 70 CCE, 186 P450, and 35 GST genes. Compared with three other dipteran species, gene expansion in Culex mainly occurred in the CCE and P450 families, where the genes of M-NM-1-esterases, juvenile hormone esterases, and CYP325 of the CYP4 subfamily showed the most pronounced expansion on the genome. A total of 13314 genes were expressed in five DGE libraries. Genes with signal transduction and odorant binding functions were prominently expressed during egg development. Genes involved in proteolysis, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, and purine metabolism were preferentially expressed at the larval stage. Seventy five percent of the detoxification genes were found to be expressed. One fourth of the CCE and P450 genes were expressed at unique stages, indicating their developmentally regulated expression. Fifteen detoxification genes, including 2 CCEs, 6 GSTs, and 7 P450s, were expressed at higher levels in a parathion-resistant strain than in a susceptible strain. Conclusion: The results of the present study provide new insights into the functions and evolution of three detoxification gene families in mosquitoes and comprehensive transcriptomic resources for C. p. quinquefasciatus, which will facilitate the elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying the different biological characteristics of the three major mosquito vectors. Raw data were deposited in SRA and assigned accession number SRA049959: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sra?term=SRA049959 Five DGE libraries were sequenced: the egg, third instar larval, pupal, and adult stages of the SG strain, and the third instar larval stage of the S-lab strain.

Dataset Information

Range expansion of <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> and <i>Culex pipiens</i> hybrids across mid-latitudes of North America.

Publications

Range expansion of <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> and <i>Culex pipiens</i> hybrids across mid-latitudes of North America.

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Dataset Information

Range expansion of <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> and <i>Culex pipiens</i> hybrids across mid-latitudes of North America.

Publications

Range expansion of &lt;i&gt;Culex quinquefasciatus&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Culex pipiens&lt;/i&gt; hybrids across mid-latitudes of North America.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

Range expansion of <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> and <i>Culex pipiens</i> hybrids across mid-latitudes of North America.