Species Identification of the Major Japanese Encephalitis Vectors within the <i>Culex vishnui</i> Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand Using Geometric Morphometrics and DNA Barcoding
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection of the brain caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, which spreads globally, particularly in 24 countries of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region. In Thailand, the primary vectors of JE are <i>Cx. pseudovishnui</i>, <i>Cx....
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/2/131 |
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| author | Tawee Saiwichai Sedthapong Laojun Tanawat Chaiphongpachara Suchada Sumruayphol |
| author_facet | Tawee Saiwichai Sedthapong Laojun Tanawat Chaiphongpachara Suchada Sumruayphol |
| author_sort | Tawee Saiwichai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection of the brain caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, which spreads globally, particularly in 24 countries of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region. In Thailand, the primary vectors of JE are <i>Cx. pseudovishnui</i>, <i>Cx. tritaeniorhynchus</i>, and <i>Cx. vishnui</i> of the <i>Cx. vishnui</i> subgroup. The morphologies of three mosquito species are extremely similar, making identification challenging. Thus, geometric morphometrics (GM) and DNA barcoding were applied for species identification. The results of cross-validation reclassification revealed that the GM technique based on wing shape analysis had relatively high potential for distinguishing <i>Cx. pseudovishnui</i>, <i>Cx. tritaeniorhynchus</i>, and <i>Cx. vishnui</i> (total performance = 88.34% of correctly assigned individuals). While the DNA barcoding yielded excellent results in identifying these <i>Culex</i> species based on the DNA barcode gap (average intraspecific genetic distance = 0.78% ± 0.39% and average interspecific genetic distance = 6.14% ± 0.79%). However, in the absence of the required facilities for DNA barcoding, GM techniques can be employed in conjunction with morphological methods to enhance the reliability of species identification. Based on the results of this study, our approach can help guide efforts to identify members of the <i>Cx. vishnui</i> subgroup, which will be useful for the effective vector control of JE in Thailand. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:39:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-554e338b4fa144898bcc71d728265770 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:39:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-554e338b4fa144898bcc71d7282657702023-11-16T21:14:16ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502023-01-0114213110.3390/insects14020131Species Identification of the Major Japanese Encephalitis Vectors within the <i>Culex vishnui</i> Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand Using Geometric Morphometrics and DNA BarcodingTawee Saiwichai0Sedthapong Laojun1Tanawat Chaiphongpachara2Suchada Sumruayphol3Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, ThailandDepartment of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, ThailandDepartment of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Science, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, ThailandDepartment of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, ThailandJapanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection of the brain caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, which spreads globally, particularly in 24 countries of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region. In Thailand, the primary vectors of JE are <i>Cx. pseudovishnui</i>, <i>Cx. tritaeniorhynchus</i>, and <i>Cx. vishnui</i> of the <i>Cx. vishnui</i> subgroup. The morphologies of three mosquito species are extremely similar, making identification challenging. Thus, geometric morphometrics (GM) and DNA barcoding were applied for species identification. The results of cross-validation reclassification revealed that the GM technique based on wing shape analysis had relatively high potential for distinguishing <i>Cx. pseudovishnui</i>, <i>Cx. tritaeniorhynchus</i>, and <i>Cx. vishnui</i> (total performance = 88.34% of correctly assigned individuals). While the DNA barcoding yielded excellent results in identifying these <i>Culex</i> species based on the DNA barcode gap (average intraspecific genetic distance = 0.78% ± 0.39% and average interspecific genetic distance = 6.14% ± 0.79%). However, in the absence of the required facilities for DNA barcoding, GM techniques can be employed in conjunction with morphological methods to enhance the reliability of species identification. Based on the results of this study, our approach can help guide efforts to identify members of the <i>Cx. vishnui</i> subgroup, which will be useful for the effective vector control of JE in Thailand.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/2/131mosquito<i>Culex vishnui</i> subgroupgeometric morphometricsDNA barcodingThailand |
| spellingShingle | Tawee Saiwichai Sedthapong Laojun Tanawat Chaiphongpachara Suchada Sumruayphol Species Identification of the Major Japanese Encephalitis Vectors within the <i>Culex vishnui</i> Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand Using Geometric Morphometrics and DNA Barcoding Insects mosquito <i>Culex vishnui</i> subgroup geometric morphometrics DNA barcoding Thailand |
| title | Species Identification of the Major Japanese Encephalitis Vectors within the <i>Culex vishnui</i> Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand Using Geometric Morphometrics and DNA Barcoding |
| title_full | Species Identification of the Major Japanese Encephalitis Vectors within the <i>Culex vishnui</i> Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand Using Geometric Morphometrics and DNA Barcoding |
| title_fullStr | Species Identification of the Major Japanese Encephalitis Vectors within the <i>Culex vishnui</i> Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand Using Geometric Morphometrics and DNA Barcoding |
| title_full_unstemmed | Species Identification of the Major Japanese Encephalitis Vectors within the <i>Culex vishnui</i> Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand Using Geometric Morphometrics and DNA Barcoding |
| title_short | Species Identification of the Major Japanese Encephalitis Vectors within the <i>Culex vishnui</i> Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand Using Geometric Morphometrics and DNA Barcoding |
| title_sort | species identification of the major japanese encephalitis vectors within the i culex vishnui i subgroup diptera culicidae in thailand using geometric morphometrics and dna barcoding |
| topic | mosquito <i>Culex vishnui</i> subgroup geometric morphometrics DNA barcoding Thailand |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/2/131 |
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