Disentangling the role of migration, human transport and Wolbachia infection in the global invasion of a disease vector, the Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), using a genomic approach.

白纹伊蚊(Aedes Albopictus)是目前世界上入侵最严重的蚊种。现在除南极洲外的所有大陆都有它的存在，目前它的大部分分布范围都是在过去30-40年里入侵的。然而，关于哪些遗传谱系对历史上的自然入侵和最近的人类中介入侵做出了贡献，以及基因变异是如何在新建立的种群中分布和保持的，人们知之甚少。此外，以往的研究仅限于少数领域，对于沃尔巴克氏菌引起的细胞质不亲和性在亚洲虎蚊入侵过程中的影响更是知之甚少，这可能强烈地影响其种群遗传结构。这些因素，无论是共同的还是单独的，对于预测该物种未来的入侵和相关的疾病传播风险都具有深远的重要性。我提出的这个项目是为了填补白纹伊蚊全球系统地理、其入侵路线、其种群结构以及沃尔巴克氏菌感染可能产生的影响方面的现有知识空白。更具体地说，我将使用ddRADseq，这是一种最先进的基因组工具，它将允许对这种有能力的入侵者的人口历史进行全基因组解析。这项技术还将使我能够评估沃尔巴克氏杆菌的感染状况，并确定这种病原体对线粒体谱系分布的影响，以及它们在亚洲虎蚊分布模式中的作用。预期结果将为评估入侵风险和可能的入侵路线提供坚实的基础，从而指导监测和管理行动。此外，还将创建一个基因组数据库，用于未来的研究。

The Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) presently belongs to the most invasive species worldwide. It is now present on all continents except Antarctica, with most of its present distribution range having been invaded in the last 30-40 years. However, little is known about which genetic lineages contributed to the historical natural and more recent human-mediated invasions and how genetic variation is distributed and maintained in the newly established populations. Besides, previous research is confined to few areas only, and even less is known about the influence of Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmatic incompatibilities during invasions of the Asian Tiger mosquito, which might strongly influence its population genetic structure. These factors, jointly and individually, are of profound importance to project future invasions of this species and the associated risks of disease transmission. The project I propose is tailored to fill the existing knowledge gaps in the global phylogeography of Aedes albopictus, its invasion routes, its population structure and the possible influence of Wolbachia infections. More specifically, I will use ddRADseq, a state-of-the-art genomic tool, which will allow a genomewide resolution of the demographic history of this competent invader. This technique will also enable me to evaluate Wolbachia infection status and to determine the influence of this pathogen on the distribution of the mitochondrial lineages and their role in the distribution pattern of the Asian Tiger mosquito. The expected results will provide a strong foundation for the assessment of invasion risk and probable invasion routes and thus inform monitoring and management actions. Furthermore, a genomic database for future studies will be created.