Archaeogenomics Journal Club: Population genomics and geographic dispersal in Chagas disease vectors: Landscape drivers and evidence of possible adaptation to the domestic setting

This week we discuss a paper by Hernandez-Castro et al. 2022, on dispersal and adaptation in the Chagas disease vector R. Ecuadoriensis 

Zoom link and passcode:

https://uio.zoom.us/j/65016350917?pwd=bUFiYWs5SlRRbnlsbGR0OGxXZTFEdz09
Meeting ID: 650 1635 0917
Passcode: 984453

Link to paper:

https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1010019#sec010 

 

Abstract:

Accurate prediction of vectors dispersal, as well as identification of adaptations that allow blood-feeding vectors to thrive in built environments, are a basis for effective disease control. Here we adopted a landscape genomics approach to assay gene flow, possible local adaptation, and drivers of population structure in Rhodnius ecuadoriensis, an important vector of Chagas disease. We used a reduced-representation sequencing technique (2b-RADseq) to obtain 2,552 SNP markers across 272 R. ecuadoriensis samples from 25 collection sites in southern Ecuador. Evidence of high and directional gene flow between seven wild and domestic population pairs across our study site indicates insecticide-based control will be hindered by repeated re-infestation of houses from the forest. Preliminary genome scans across multiple population pairs revealed shared outlier loci potentially consistent with local adaptation to the domestic setting, which we mapped to genes involved with embryogenesis and saliva production. Landscape genomic models showed elevation is a key barrier to R. ecuadoriensis dispersal. Together our results shed early light on the genomic adaptation in triatomine vectors and facilitate vector control by predicting that spatially-targeted, proactive interventions would be more efficacious than current, reactive approaches.

 

 

Published Apr. 4, 2022 11:00 AM - Last modified Apr. 4, 2022 11:00 AM