Project name: Aedes albopictus

Description: Many temperate insects survive the harsh conditions of winter byundergoing photoperiodic diapause, a pre-programmed developmentalarrest initiated by short day lengths. Despite the well-establishedecological significance of photoperiodic diapause, the molecular basisof this crucial adaptation remains largely unresolved. The Asian tigermosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), represents an outstanding emergingmodel to investigate the molecular basis of photoperiodic diapause ina well-defined ecological and evolutionary context. Ae. albopictus isa medically significant vector and is currently considered the mostinvasive mosquito in the world. Traits related to diapause appear tobe important factors contributing to the rapid spread of thismosquito. To discover transcripts involved in diapause preparation, weare sequencing the transcriptome of Ae. albopictus oocytes underdiapause and non-diapause inducing conditions at various developmentalstages.

Data type: Transcriptome or Gene expression

Sample scope: Multiisolate

Relevance: Evolution

Last updated: 2011-08-09