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Book chapter2022Peer reviewedOpen access

Odour-mediated host selection and discrimination in mosquitoes

Hinze, Annika; Hill, Sharon; Ignell, Rickard

Abstract

Haematophagous female mosquitoes differ in their selection of hosts, ranging from generalists to specialists. Specialist mosquitoes, particularly those that prefer to feed on humans, constitute a significant threat to human health, as they can transmit pathogens causing, e.g. malaria, yellow fever, dengue and West Nile fever. To select and discriminate among potential vertebrate host species, mosquitoes rely heavily on their sense of smell. In this chapter, we distinguish between host preference and choice, terms that often are used erroneously in conjunction with host selection and discrimination, and the methods used to define these behaviours. Increasing evidence suggest that mosquitoes rely on odour blends, often composed of shared generic volatile organic compounds, for host discrimination. The identity of these host-related compounds is discussed, along with available information on their cognate chemosensory receptors and neural circuitry. Fundamental knowledge underlying the molecular mechanisms regulating odour-mediated host selection will continue to be key for our improved understanding of the genetic basis and evolution of host discrimination. While there has been significant progress in revealing the mechanisms regulating odour-mediated host discrimination in mosquitoes, we conclude that there are still open questions to address.

Keywords

host preference; host choice; chemosensory receptors; evolution

Published in

Title: Sensory ecology of disease vectors
Publisher: Wageningen Academic Publishers

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology
Evolutionary Biology

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-932-9_9
  • ISBN: 978-90-8686-380-8
  • eISBN: 978-90-8686-932-9

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/139570