Embryonic desiccation resistance in Aedes aegypti: presumptive role of the chitinized serosal cuticle.

ABSTRACT:

Background

One of the major problems concerning dengue transmission is that embryos of its main vector, the mosquito Aedes aegypti, resist desiccation, surviving several months under dry conditions. The serosal cuticle (SC) contributes to mosquito egg desiccation resistance, but the kinetics of SC secretion during embryogenesis is unknown. It has been argued that mosquito SC contains chitin as one of its components, however conclusive evidence is still missing.

Results

We observed an abrupt acquisition of desiccation resistance during Ae. aegypti embryogenesis associated with serosal cuticle secretion, occurring at complete germ band extension, between 11 and 13 hours after egglaying. After SC formation embryos are viable on dry for at least several days. The presence of chi

SUBMITTER: Rezende GL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2561029 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature