AI Insight
Researchers created the first comprehensive pangenome analysis of the Culex pipiens mosquito species complex, which includes major disease vectors for West Nile virus and lymphatic filariasis. By comparing chromosome-scale genome assemblies of four forms, they identified 16,568 gene groups with significant variation between species, found evidence that Cx. pallens originated through hybridization between two other species, and documented extensive gene family expansions across all lineages. The genomes showed high overall similarity (93-94% average nucleotide identity) but contained substantial structural differences including hundreds of large chromosomal inversions.
Why it matters
Understanding the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships within this mosquito complex is critical for developing targeted vector control strategies and predicting disease transmission patterns. The pangenome resource will enable future population-level studies to identify genes associated with insecticide resistance, disease transmission capability, and adaptation to different environments.
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⚠️ Preprint – Noch nicht peer-reviewed
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The Culex pipiens species complex contains the principal northern-hemisphere vectors of West Nile virus, lymphatic filariasis and several arboviruses; yet, the genomic basis of its diversity remains poorly resolved. We present the first pangenome characterization of the four widely recognized Cx. pipiens complex forms (Cx. pipiens, Cx. pallens, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. molestus), with Cx. tarsalis as outgroup. From chromosome-scale assemblies (533-790 Mb) and unified annotations transferred from the Cx. quinquefasciatus reference, we identified 16,568 orthogroups. Restricted to the ingroup, 92,821 genes (98.2%) were partitioned into 11,284 core (71.1%), 3,726 shell (23.5%) and 871 cloud (5.5%) orthogroups. Form-specific cloud orthogroups were unevenly distributed (chi-squared = 71.9, p = 1.7e-15), with Cx. molestus carrying the largest set. A concatenated 8,067-locus phylogeny placed Cx. pallens and Cx. quinquefasciatus as sisters with full bootstrap support but only 58.9% gene-tree and 45.1% site concordance at the deep ingroup node, a pattern consistent with prior evidence that Cx. pallens arose through hybridization between Cx. pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus. CAFE5 detected 582 gene families with significant rate departures, and inferred expansions outnumbering contractions on every lineage (counts across all orthogroups with an inferred size change; Cx. quinquefasciatus greatest, 3,733 expanded vs. 729 contracted). Whole-genome ANI ranged 93.1-94.7% (skani); synteny was conserved at the chromosome scale (74-77% collinear anchors) with 258-294 inversions >= 100 kb per pair. Transposable elements occupied a uniform genome fraction (52.7-54.4%). These results refine the divergence framework for the complex, provide evidence consistent with a hybrid origin of Cx. pallens, and establish a pangenomic baseline for future population-level resequencing.