Microsatellite markers for population genetic studies in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Côte dʹIvoire: evidence for a microgeographic genetic differentiation of mosquitoes from Bouaké

In West Africa, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) (Linnaeus, C., 1762. Zweyter Theil, enhalt Beschreibungen veschiedener wichtiger Naturalien. In: Hasselquist, F. (Ed.), Reise nach Palastina in den Jahren von 1749 bis 1752, Rostock, Germany, pp. 267–606) represents the principal vector of yellow fever. This study reports the use of microsatellite markers to characterise various A. aegypti populations from Côte dʹIvoire according to a north–south transect, and to perform a temporal genetic survey of the mosquitoes. Three microsatellite loci were used to analyse individuals from four different places: Kabolo, Bouaké, and two different districts of Abidjan. We found that the four populations are genetically distinct except the two Abidjan populations. In the Bouaké population, the coexistence of two cryptic species, not morphologically distinguishable, seems to account for the extensive heterozygote deficiency observed. Comparison of mosquitoes from Bouaké 1 year apart indicated that a dramatic change occurred in the structuring of this population over time. Taken together these results indicate that microsatellite markers could be useful for identifying various populations of A. aegypti on a microgeographic scale and to assess for temporal variation within mosquito populations.