Humans have been the dominant invasive species on the planet. As they have increased in population, their habitats have invaded the habitats of many native species. As natural habitat decreases, one of two outcomes can occur for the invaded species. One, the extinction of the species in the invaded region, or their evolution of “domestication.” This domestication, or human commensalism, develops as a species continues to breed in a human-occupied territory (Brown et al. 2013). For insects requiring a vertebrate as a blood-rich source, most often an evolution in preference for humans will occur. As humans have become a prominent blood-source, many major insect vectors of human diseases have undergone this domestication and have become
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One consequence in switching from zoophagy to anthropophagy is humans are introduced to infectious diseases that were once limited to animals. Today, many human pathogens still infect animals (Powell et al. 2013). A second consequence is the potential spread of vectors outside native ranges via human movement and trade (Lounibos 2002). Once a species evolves to a human specialist, it will likely be spread over intercontinental distances due to the development of global transportation and urbanization of dense populations (Gould et al. 2017).
This review focuses on the dengue and yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and the insightful impact its relationship with humans has had on its evolution (Tabachnick 1991). The species has become a very important public health concern especially in regards to vectoring dengue, zika, and chikungunya viruses, which currently have no existing vaccines. Therefore, understanding how the species has adapted can help control the population and prevent further disease spread (WHO …show more content…
2013). New World populations have direct derivation from West African populations, while Asia populations have derivation from New World populations. Surprisingly, there is no genetic evidence supporting an eastward movement from Africa into Asia. An isolated form of Ae. aegypti is present in Eastern Africa, however, viral transmission between the species and humans has not been found to occur (Mutebi and Barrett 2002). Epidemiologic data indicate a vast difference between East Africa and West Africa Aedes ae. Most importantly, East African aegypti are not competent vectors and lack a sufficient human source for
One consequence in switching from zoophagy to anthropophagy is humans are introduced to infectious diseases that were once limited to animals. Today, many human pathogens still infect animals (Powell et al. 2013). A second consequence is the potential spread of vectors outside native ranges via human movement and trade (Lounibos 2002). Once a species evolves to a human specialist, it will likely be spread over intercontinental distances due to the development of global transportation and urbanization of dense populations (Gould et al. 2017).
This review focuses on the dengue and yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and the insightful impact its relationship with humans has had on its evolution (Tabachnick 1991). The species has become a very important public health concern especially in regards to vectoring dengue, zika, and chikungunya viruses, which currently have no existing vaccines. Therefore, understanding how the species has adapted can help control the population and prevent further disease spread (WHO …show more content…
2013). New World populations have direct derivation from West African populations, while Asia populations have derivation from New World populations. Surprisingly, there is no genetic evidence supporting an eastward movement from Africa into Asia. An isolated form of Ae. aegypti is present in Eastern Africa, however, viral transmission between the species and humans has not been found to occur (Mutebi and Barrett 2002). Epidemiologic data indicate a vast difference between East Africa and West Africa Aedes ae. Most importantly, East African aegypti are not competent vectors and lack a sufficient human source for