Masterarbeit

Global, spatial analysis of mosquito-associated virus diversity and its potential drivers

Alina Joy Domdey (03/2023-09/2023)

Betreuer: Stephanie Thomas, Carl Beierkuhnlein

Mosquito-Associated Virus (MAV) diversity includes genetic and functional aspects and results in possible interactions between different viruses in the mosquito virome. Knowledge about MAVs is a precondition for evaluating MAV related human health risks. MAV data from the ZOVER database and an insect-specific virus database were used to map species richness of MAVs globally, with data availability being geographically very heterogenous. Bioclimatic variables and host species richness were analyzed as influencing factors for MAV diversity using Spearman correlation method and Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). GAMs were also applied for prediction of global MAV species richness. Major data gaps are detected on the African continent as well as for northern and western Asia. MAV diversity hotspots were identified in humid subtropical and tropical regions of the world such as in the south-west of North America, in the Amazon and Andes, in the Mediterranean and also in south, south-east and east Asia. MAV diversity has non-linear links with both, bioclimatic variables and host diversity. The analyzed bioclimatic variables revealed mean temperatures in warm and wet seasons to be the most important bioclimatic predictors. Mean and minimum temperatures in the cold seasons are shown to be of minor importance for MAV diversity. There is a positive correlation (⇢: 0.171) between MAV and host species richness, while the contributions of different host species sub-groups vary. The study presents insights into factors influencing MAV diversity and stresses the need for standardized studies of the mosquito virome in the identified MAV diversity hotspots.