Multi-kingdom microbial diversity and interaction landscapes in mosquitoes revealed by 5,163 individual meta-transcriptomes
Mosquitoes are pathogen vectors embedded within diverse microbial ecosystems. However, the nature and interactions among their multi-kingdom microbiome remain poorly understood. We conducted a nationwide single-mosquito meta-transcriptomic survey of 5,163 mosquitoes representing 100 species across China, integrating viral discovery with marker-gene profiling of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and other…
Mosquitoes carry diverse microbial ecosystems, but their multi-kingdom microbiome and interactions have long been unclear. A nationwide study of 5,163 individual mosquitoes from 100 species across China analyzed their viral presence and marker-gene profiles of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and other eukaryotic microbes. This investigation uncovered 1,606 species-level microbial taxa, including novel discoveries, and demonstrated distinct host-specific organization within mosquito-associated communities.
The researchers identified 34 pathogens or potential pathogens of human or animal interest, analyzing their prevalence, abundance, host range, and geographical distribution. These findings defined unique epidemiological patterns. Network analysis revealed pervasive cross-kingdom microbial associations, including potential antiviral relationships between Wolbachia and other microbial taxa.
This comprehensive study provides a detailed understanding of the full-spectrum microbiome within mosquitoes. It presents a valuable resource and conceptual framework for investigating vector competence, pathogen emergence, and the potential of microbiome-informed strategies for controlling mosquito-borne diseases.
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