Meta-Analysis of Population Genetics of Aedes vittatus in India Based on COI Gene: A First Report from a Public Health Point of View

Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases profoundly affect public health through the induction of illness, economic burden, and the emergence of epidemics. Efficient control techniques, encompassing vector management, vaccinations, public awareness, and enhanced healthcare infrastructure, are essential for mitigating their impacts. Aedes vittatus is increasingly recognised as a possible vector for several viral illnesses, presenting an escalating threat to both humans and animals. Genetic analysis of Aedes. vittatus is crucial for formulating targeted and sustainable mosquito control tactics. Population genetics research elucidates resistance mechanisms and vector competence, thereby supporting public health initiatives in disease prevention. This study will investigate the genetic diversity and provenance of Aedes. vittatus populations gathered from several regions in India to address this gap. The collected data will be essential for enhancing comprehension and management of this species. This research examined the genetic diversity of Aedeses vittatus populations utilising the DNASp software tool. Haplotype diversity (Hd), nucleotide diversity (π), the average number of pairwise nucleotide changes, and the counts of synonymous and non-synonymous mutations were analysed. Neutrality tests, such as Tajima’s D, Fu and Li’s D+ and F+, and R2 statistics, were performed. Fifteen sequences were obtained from GenBank, revealing seven haplotypes (H = 7) and a haplotype diversity of 0.819. The sequencing investigation indicated that of the 933 nucleotides analysed, 59.31 were synonymous and 240.69 were non-synonymous. The mean pairwise nucleotide differences (k) was 11.124, although the nucleotide diversity (π) was very modest at 0.03708. The research found 43 polymorphic sites (S = 43) and documented a total of 43 mutations (Eta = 43). Analysis of pairwise nucleotide differences revealed 43 segregating sites. Harpending's raggedness measure (R² = 0.1126) lacked statistical significance (P > 0.05), suggesting demographic stability among Aedes. vittatus populations in India. Fu and Li’s D+ test value (1.41960) was statistically significant (P < 0.05), however Fu and Li’s F+ test value (0.87642) was not statistically significant (P > 0.10). Furthermore, Fu's F statistic (3.499) was positive, indicating the influence of balanced selection in preserving genetic diversity. Strobeck’s S statistic was 0.093, although Tajima’s D value (-0.68003) lacked statistical significance (P > 0.10). The predicted shape parameter for the discrete Gamma distribution was 1.4123. The Tamura-Nei model (+G) was employed to simulate evolutionary rate variations among sites, incorporating five substitution rate categories with mean evolutionary rates of 0.18, 0.46, 0.78, 1.24, and 2.35 substitutions per site. The nucleotide composition of Ae. vittatus COI sequences was: A = 29.83%, T/U = 39.43%, C = 15.55%, G = 15.18%. Genomic research underscores the impact of evolutionary forces on genetic diversity, with balanced selection maintaining stability in Aedes. vittatus populations. Some genetic areas change slowly due to functional restrictions, whereas others acquire mutations rapidly, indicating dynamic flexibility. Comprehending these genetic patterns is crucial for evaluating the evolutionary potential of Aedes. vittatus, especially regarding its adaptation to environmental changes and its involvement in disease transmission. These insights are essential for public health, underscoring the necessity for ongoing genetic research to guide vector control measures and avert mosquito-borne illness outbreaks.