Identifying Seasonal Differences in the Transcript Abundance of Seminal Fluid Proteins in Male Tiger Mosquitos
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Date
2025-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
The tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a globally invasive species and a significant vector of pathogens such as Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses. While male mosquitoes do not transmit diseases, their seminal fluid proteins (SFPs), produced by the male accessory glands (MAGs), play an important role in stimulating female blood-feeding, promoting egg development and oviposition, and preventing female remating. Research indicates that in other mosquito species, the composition of the ejaculate changes in response to seasonal cues, influencing female biting behavior and reproductive patterns. However, it is currently unknown whether male Ae. albopictus exhibit similar seasonal changes in SFP abundance and how these changes impact female blood-feeding behavior and fecundity. Here, I investigated how seasonal changes in day length influence the composition of the ejaculate and how this affects female reproduction. I tried to determine whether females mated with long-day males exhibit higher blood-feeding proclivity and fecundity compared to those mated with short-day males. I also identified seasonal differences in the transcript abundance of specific SFPs associated with immunity (glutathione S-transferase), bloodmeal digestion (Trypsin 1), and egg development (Cathepsin-B) using quantitative real-time PCR. This research will help understand how male Ae. albopictus adapt their reproductive patterns seasonally, providing insights into their biology and potential mosquito control strategies.