Population genomics of Aedes albopictus across remote Pacific islands for genetic biocontrol considerations
Issued Date
2025-08-01
Resource Type
eISSN
19352735
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105013550095
Pubmed ID
40788925
Journal Title
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases
Volume
19
Issue
8
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases Vol.19 No.8 (2025) , e0013414
Suggested Citation
Seok S., Vorsino A.E., Collier T.C., Hapairai L.K., Jacobsen C.M., Hasty J.M., Romero-Weaver A.L., Buckner E.A., LaPointe D.A., Leong M.K.H., Braack L., Tabuloc C.A., Chiu J.C., Raban R., Akbari O.S., Lee Y. Population genomics of Aedes albopictus across remote Pacific islands for genetic biocontrol considerations. Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases Vol.19 No.8 (2025) , e0013414. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0013414 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/111833
Title
Population genomics of Aedes albopictus across remote Pacific islands for genetic biocontrol considerations
Author's Affiliation
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Davis
Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University
Tripler Regional Med Center
Florida Medical Entomological Laboratory
Hawaii State Department of Health
Pacific Island Health Officers Association
Pac. Isl. Ecosystems Research Center
Strategic Habitat Conservation Program
Independent Researcher
University of California, Davis
Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University
Tripler Regional Med Center
Florida Medical Entomological Laboratory
Hawaii State Department of Health
Pacific Island Health Officers Association
Pac. Isl. Ecosystems Research Center
Strategic Habitat Conservation Program
Independent Researcher
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
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 differentiation, we found between islets, islands, and regions, the genome data from this study can be used to enable the development of locally confined geographically isolated gene drives. These drives may be used to prevent and control outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, diseases that have had devastating consequences in these remote island communities.