English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Background   Culicoides imicola  Kieffer, 1913 is the main vector of bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the population genetic structure of this midge and the nature of barriers to gene flow will lead to a deeper understanding of bluetongue epidemiology and more effective vector control in this region.    Methods  A panel of 12 DNA microsatellite markers isolated  de novo  and mitochondrial DNA were utilized in a study of  C. imicola  populations from Africa and an outlier population from the Balearic Islands. The DNA microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA were also used to examine a population of closely related  C. bolitinos  Meiswinkel midges.    Results  The microsatellite data suggest gene flow between Kenya and south-west Indian Ocean Islands exist while a restricted gene flow between Kenya and South Africa  C. imicola  populations occurs. Genetic distance correlated with geographic distance by Mantel test. The mitochondrial DNA analysis results imply that the  C. imicola  populations from Kenya and south-west Indian Ocean Islands (Madagascar and Mauritius) shared haplotypes while  C. imicola  population from South Africa possessed private haplotypes and the highest nucleotide diversity among the African populations. The Bayesian skyline plot suggested a population growth.    Conclusions  The gene flow demonstrated by this study indicates a potential risk of introduction of new BTV serotypes by wind-borne infected  Culicoides  into the Islands .  Genetic similarity between Mauritius and South Africa may be due to translocation as a result of human-induced activities; this could impact negatively on the livestock industry. The microsatellite markers isolated in this study may be utilised to study  C. bolitinos , an important vector of BTV and AHSV in Africa and identify sources of future incursions.    Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1277-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Delineation of the population genetic structure of Culicoides imicola in East and South Africa