Competitive reduction by satyrization? Evidence for interspecific mating in nature and asymmetric reproductive competition between Invasive mosquito vectors
Autor(es): Tripet, Frederic; Lounibos, L. Philip; Robbins, Dannielle; Moran, Jenny; Nishimura, Naoya; Blosser, Erik M.
Resumo: Upon mating, male mosquitoes transfer accessory gland proteins (Acps) that induce refractoriness to further mating in females. This can also occur because of cross-insemination by males of related species, a process known as mating interference (satyrization). This mechanism could explain the competitive displacement of resident Aedes aegypti by the invasive Aedes albopictus where they co-occur. We tested this hypothesis in mosquito populations in Florida. A new polymerase chain reaction species diagnostic applied to sperm dissected from 304 field-collected females revealed bidirectional cross-mating in five (1.6%) individuals. Cross-injections of females with Acps showed that Ae. albopictus males induced monogamy in heterospecific females but not Ae. aegypti males. Despite its low frequency in the areas under study, the first evidence of cross-mating in nature and the asymmetric effect of Acps on mating suggest that satyrization may have initially contributed to the observed competitive reduction of Ae. aegypti by invasive Ae. albopictus in many areas.
Palavras-Chave: Aedes albopictus diptera; Anopheles - Gambiae females; Transferred sperm; Gland proteins; DNA
Imprenta: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, v. 85, n. 2, p. 265-270, 2011
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0677
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Biochemistry ; Aedes aegypti - DNA ; Aedes aegypti - Public health
Data de publicação: 2011
