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Full text release has been delayed at the author's request until August 06, 2024

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Characterization of the physiological and behavioral effects of dehydration on mosquito vectorial capacity

Holmes, Christopher
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9612-366X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1659518628935004

Abstract Details

2022, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences.
The goal of these studies is to elucidate underlying mechanisms involved in dehydration-resistance and rehydration to determine how those factors contribute to vectorial capacity via physiological assays and next-generation sequencing. These studies primarily focus on Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito and vector of Zika virus, and Culex pipiens, the northern house mosquito and vector of West Nile virus. Our studies show that mosquitoes tightly regulate water content while underscoring the involvement of compensatory and regulatory hydration mechanisms. We exposed C. pipiens and A. aegypti to varying relative humidity (RH), recovery conditions, and bloodfeeding opportunities to compare changes in hydration status and the underlying mechanisms. Overall, we determined that dehydrated mosquitoes differentially utilize water content from a bloodmeal and increase water acquisition/retention to recover from water loss and to reduce the overall effects of dehydration stress. Specifically, in Chapter 1 we reviewed the current information on the effects of dehydration and water loss on mosquitoes. In Chapter 2 we studied the basic physiological responses to water loss in two medically-important mosquito species and how those factors contributed to vectorial capacity. In Chapter 3 we investigated the underlying midgut transcriptome and osmolality of A. aegypti in response to dehydration. In Chapter 4 we explored the propensity of A. aegypti to take multiple bloodmeals in response to dehydrating conditions. Taken together, these findings characterize the responses of dehydrated mosquitoes, ultimately revealing intricate associations between mosquito water balance, survival, reproduction, midgut gene regulation, bloodfeeding/refeeding propensity, and vectorial capacity. Our studies were the first to indicate mosquitoes’ abilities to rehydrate from a bloodmeal and to alter both pre- and post-bloodfeeding behaviors depending on hydration status. These novel findings have explored many facets of mosquito dehydration stress on vectorial capacity and disease transmission dynamics. As climate continues to change and droughts are predicted to become more prevalent, this knowledge will help better understand refeeding behavior as a response to dehydration and improve transmission risk predictability.
Joshua Benoit, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Elke Buschbeck, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jason Rasgon, Ph.D B.S. (Committee Member)
Trinity Hamilton, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Joshua Gross, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
243 p.
Biology
mosquito; dehydration; vectorial capacity; survival; RNAseq; Refeeding

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Holmes, C. (2022). Characterization of the physiological and behavioral effects of dehydration on mosquito vectorial capacity [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1659518628935004

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Holmes, Christopher. Characterization of the physiological and behavioral effects of dehydration on mosquito vectorial capacity. 2022. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1659518628935004.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Holmes, Christopher. "Characterization of the physiological and behavioral effects of dehydration on mosquito vectorial capacity." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1659518628935004

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1659518628935004
© 2022, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.