Monotonicity properties arising in a simple model of Wolbachia invasion for wild mosquito populations

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a simplified bidimensional Wolbachia infestation model in a population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, preserving the main features associated with the biology of this species that can be found in higherdimensional models. Namely, our model represents the maternal transmission of the Wolbachia symbiont, expresses the reproductive phenotype of cytoplasmic incompatibility, accounts for different fecundities and mortalities of infected and wild insects, and exhibits the bistable nature leading to the so-called principle of competitive exclusion. Since Wolbachia-based biocontrol is now accepted as an ecologically friendly and potentially cost-effective method for prevention and control of dengue and other arboviral infections, it is essential to have reduced models with the main biological characteristics of Aedes aegypti in the presence of Wolbachia-carriers because such models help to simplify the mathematical analysis for determining appropriate biocontrol strategies. Using tools borrowed from monotone dynamical system theory, in the proposed model, we prove the existence of an invariant threshold manifold that allows us to provide practical recommendations for performing single and periodic releases of Wolbachiacarrying mosquitoes, seeking the eventual elimination of wild insects that are capable of transmitting infections to humans. We illustrate these findings with numerical simulations using parameter values corresponding to the wMelPop strain of Wolbachia that is considered the best virus blocker but induces fitness loss in its carriers.

A metapopulation approach to identify targets for Wolbachia-based dengue control

“…To elucidate the competition between wild and Wolbachiainfected mosquitoes, we first analyze their ecological growth in the same habitat (patch). To this aim, we make use of the iterative logistic growth of the invasion dynamics of Wolbachia presented in 18 . This model includes the shortening of the life cycle of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, reducing their birth probability (r) and increasing their death probability (α) compared to the wild species, i.e.…”