Metatranscriptomic Sequencing of Medically Important Mosquitoes Reveals Extensive Diversity of RNA Viruses and Other Microbial Communities in Western Australia

Abstract

Mosquitoes harbor a wide diversity of microorganisms, including viruses that are human pathogens, or that are insect specific. We used metatranscriptomics, an unbiased high-throughput molecular approach, to describe the composition of viral and other microbial communities in six medically important mosquito species from across Western Australia: Aedes vigilax, Culex annulirostris, Cx. australicus, Cx. globocoxitus, Cx. pipiens biotype molestus, and Cx. quinquefasciatus. We identified 42 viral species, including 13 novel viruses, from 19 families. Culex mosquitoes exhibited a significantly higher diversity of viruses than Aedes mosquitoes, and no virus was shared between the two genera. Comparison of mosquito populations revealed a heterogenous distribution of viruses between geographical regions and between closely related species, suggesting that geography and host species may play a role in shaping virome composition. We also detected bacterial and parasitic microorganisms, among which Wolbachia bacteria were detected in three members of the Cx. pipiens complex, Cx. australicus, Cx. pipiens biotype molestus, and Cx. quinquefasciatus. In summary, our unbiased metatranscriptomics approach provides important insights into viral and other microbial diversity in Western Australian mosquitoes that vector medically important viruses.

Synthetic recovery of Yada Yada virus expands insect-specific alphavirus knowledge and facilitates production of chimeric viruses

“…Within the Asia-Pacific region, more than ten ISFsthe most studied mosquito-associated ISV group, have been detected 9,42 . In sharp contrast, YYV remains the only ISA detected in this region 22 , despite extensive screening of mosquitoes and virome analyses 41,[43][44][45][46][47][48] . As no attempts had been made to isolate YYV, RNA extracted from a YYV-positive mosquito homogenate was transfected into C6/36 cells.…”

Metatranscriptomic analysis of common mosquito vector species in the Canadian Prairies

“…Furthermore, nothing is known regarding the ISVs or other microorganisms (e.g., protozoa, fungi, and bacteria) that may contribute to the microbiome of common vector species in the Canadian Prairies. Metatranscriptomics has filled in these knowledge gaps for mosquito species in other geographical regions, including studies from Asia ( 46 ), Australia ( 47 , 48 ), USA ( 12 , 49 , 50 ), and the Caribbean ( 9 ). With this in mind, we carried out RNA sequencing in over 35,000 mosquitoes collected throughout Manitoba, Canada, over a 3-year period.…”