Population genomics of Aedes albopictus across remote Pacific islands for genetic biocontrol considerations

作者：Sangwoo Seok, Adam E. Vorsino, Travis C. Collier, Limb K. Hapairai, C. M. Jacobsen, Jeomhee M. Hasty, Ana L. Romero-Weaver, Eva A. Buckner, Dennis A. LaPointe, Mark K. H. Leong, Leo Braack, Christine A. Tabuloc, Joanna C. Chiu, Robyn Raban, Omar S. Akbari, Yoosook Lee · 发表于：PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1371/journal.pntd.0013414 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Mosquito-borne diseases and control、Malaria Research and Control、Insect Pest Control Strategies

Remote Pacific islands (RPI) are characterized by ecological isolation, diverse endemic species, and vulnerability to invasive organisms due to globalization-driven connectivity. Among these species, Aedes albopictus, a highly invasive vector of flaviviruses, has spread extensively across the RPI via human-mediated dispersal, posing significant health and economic burdens. While the population structure and the degree of gene flow between mosquito populations can inform the dispersal pathways critical for disease vector management, the population genetics of Ae. albopictus in Northern RPI remains understudied. The present work investigated the population structure and connectivity of Ae. albopictus populations from Guam, Hawaiian Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to inform disease and vector-based biosecurity risks and develop targeted management strategies. This is the first assessment to develop and analyze whole genome sequences of Ae. albopictus for RPI, enabling more accurate estimates of differentiation, admixture, and ancestry. We found distinct genetic clustering between regions, distinct ancestry of populations across RPI, and potential invasions that originated from Hawaii and spread into the RMI, and invasions from North America that spread to Guam. These findings can inform biosecurity protocols to limit the invasion of Ae. albopictus and their associated diseases within Hawaii and around the Pacific. Given the significant degree of genetic d...