Biology subjects

Villena, O. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Villena, O. C..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Thermal biology of aphids and implications for agriculture and food security

Climate change poses significant challenges to agriculture and food security, particularly through its effects on insect vector populations and the pathogens they transmit. Aphids are one of the biggest group of ectotherms that transmit viruses to plants; more than 200 species have been identified as pathogen vectors. These aphids are responsible for transmitting over 300 viruses. The life-history traits of aphids such as fecundity and survival respond strongly and non-linearly to temperature and therefore to global warming. In this study, we elaborate the thermal responses for the main life-history traits (i.e, development and mortality rate) for aphid species for which data were available or generated. Also, thermal responses for virus transmission rates were elaborated to describe plant host to vector and vector to plant host dynamics. With these data, we elaborated thermal suitability models which were used to map current and projected scenarios for the transmission of viruses by aphids. Data was only available/generated for 19 aphid species, many of which only have data either at the lower or upper thermal limits. For virus transmission rates, from host plant to vector and from vector to plant data was only available/generated for potato virus Y (PVY), potato virus A (PVA), and potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) transmitted by the aphid Myzus persicae. Projections show that virus transmission by aphids will shift to northern latitudes. Understanding the thermal biology of aphids is crucial for developing effective measures to safeguard agriculture, especially staple crops, and food security in the context of climate change.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Effects of temperature on the life-history traits of Myzus persicae and its efficiency in transmitting potato virus Y (PVY) in potato crops

Aphids are highly sensitive to temperature changes and play a crucial role in transmitting plant viruses, accounting for the transmission of more than 50% of viruses that cause disease in crops. Among them, Myzus persicae is a major global pest, affecting over 400 plant species and transmitting more than 100 plant viruses, including potato virus Y (PVY), which poses a severe threat to potato crops. This study examines how temperature influences the life-history traits of M. persicae and its efficiency in transmitting PVY. Our research revealed that temperature significantly affects developmental duration, survival, and fecundity of M. persicae. The aphids exhibit the longest lifespan at 10{degrees}C and the shortest at 30{degrees}C. Similarly, fecundity declined from 29.81 offspring per female at 10{degrees}C to 14.25 at 30{degrees}C. PVY transmission efficiency was highest at 20{degrees}C. We also mapped potential PVY transmission regions and identified tropical and subtropical areas as high-risk due to their favourable temperatures and aphids abundance. Understanding these geographical variations is crucial for effective pest/disease management. Our findings emphasize the importance of integrating climatological, ecological, and epidemiological data to develop robust pest/disease management strategies to mitigate the impact of M. persicae and PVY on potato production and enhancing global food security.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Mapping current and future thermal limits to suitability for malaria transmission by the invasive mosquito Anopheles stephensi

BackgroundAnopheles stephensi is a malaria-transmitting mosquito that has recently expanded from its primary range in Asia and the Middle East, to locations in Africa. This species is a competent vector of both P. falciparum (PF) and P. vivax (PV) malaria. Perhaps most alarming, the characteristics of An. stephensi, such as container breeding and anthropophily, make it particularly adept at exploiting built environments in areas with no prior history of malaria risk. MethodsIn this paper we created global maps of thermal transmission suitability and people at risk (PAR) for malaria transmission by An. stephensi, under current and future climate. Temperature-dependent transmission suitability thresholds derived from recently published species-specific thermal curves were used to threshold gridded, monthly mean temperatures under current and future climatic conditions. These temperature driven transmission models were coupled with gridded population data for 2020 and 2050, under climate-matched scenarios for future outcomes, to compare with baseline predictions for 2020 populations. ResultsUsing the Global Burden of Disease regions approach, we found that heterogenous regional increases and decreases in risk did not mask the overall pattern of massive increases of PAR for malaria transmission suitability with An. stephensi presence. General patterns of poleward expansion for thermal suitability were seen for both PF and PV transmission potential. ConclusionsUnderstanding the potential suitability for An. stephensi transmission in a changing climate provides a key tool for planning, given an ongoing invasion and expansion of the vector. Anticipating the potential impact of onward expansion to transmission suitable areas, and the size of population at risk under future climate scenarios, and where they occur, can serve as a large-scale call for attention, planning, and monitoring.

ecology↗