The invaders: phylogeography of dengue and chikungunya viruses Aedes vectors, on the South West islands of the Indian Ocean.

Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are the two main worldwide arbovirus vectors that have experienced invasion phases. Aedes aegypti is a pantropical species that spread centuries ago whereas Ae. albopictus started the main wave of invasion in the 1980s. Both species have been at various times on the different islands in Southwestern Indian Ocean (SWIO). This area provides an opportunity to examine the extent to which mosquitoes colonization patterns are influenced by different introductory events likely linked with human settlement and migration between the islands. To explore this hypothesis, we propose a CO1-based phylogeny using a large sampling of fresh Ae. albopictus, Ae. aegypti, and Ae. mascarensis, and 50-year-old dry specimens originating from different Indian Ocean islands. Our data allow us to hypothesize the existence of at least two waves of invasion for Ae. albopictus in the islands of SWIO. The first one most likely occurred several centuries ago with establishments in Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion Island. The other one that appears to currently still on-going, reached almost all the islands of SWIO during the 1990s or later. The low genetic diversity found between the ancient invasive strain and the contemporary one, indicates with great certainty that Ae. albopictus is not indigenous to the islands of SWIO. Recently, in Madagascar, an invasive lineage of Ae. albopictus has expanded all over the island while Ae. aegypti populations have declined in urban areas. Three clusters of Aedes aegypti have been observed, two fitting with the wild form Ae. aegypti formosus and the other one fitting with the more domestic form Ae. ae. aegypti. Sequence of Ae. mascarensis, endemic to Mauritius suggest that this species might belong to Ae. aegypti species and on this basis we propose to classify it as a sub species or form of Ae. aegypti species. Given the increase of human population flux on these islands, the occurrence of these vectors and their ability to spread quickly are of high importance of arbovirus transmission and the epidemicity of the associated diseases in these islands.

[First record of Aedes albopictus, vector of arboviruses in the Eparse Islands of the Mozambique Channel and updating of the inventory of Culicidae]. / Première mention d'Aedes albopictus, vecteur d'arbovirus, dans les îles Eparses du canal du Mozambique et actualisation de l'inventaire de la faune culicidienne.

This is the first description of Ae. albopictus in Grande Glorieuse and Juan de Nova, which are two isolated French islands of the Mozambique Channel. The recent introduction of this species is underlined by its absence in the inventories realised between 2000 and 2003. The last severe arbovirus epidemic of chikungunya (2005-2006), vectored by Ae. albopictus, which occurred in the area of the Indian Ocean emphasized the epidemiological role of this vector. So that, notifying its presence might help to target potential exotic arboviruses that could be introduced into the island. Furthermore this study allowed us to update the culicidae inventory, not only with this species, but also with the first observation of Culex sitiens in Europa and the confirmation of Ae. dufouri on this island. In order to determine the different species at the adult and/or at the larval stage, the authors propose keys of identification for mosquito species of the Eparse islands. All the described species on these islands are allochthonous species and some are being a nuisance. Sanitary recommendations together with biological and mechanical controls are proposed in order to reduce the nuisance and to prevent from any new introduction on these islands.

Aedes albopictus, an arbovirus vector: from the darkness to the light.

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894), is an invasive species that can be found on all continents. The species, originally considered a secondary vector of viruses such as Dengue viruses, has recently been suggested to play a role in the transmission of Chikungunya virus in several countries bordering the Indian Ocean, Central Africa and Europe. Here we review the current geographic range and the relevant biological traits of A. albopictus in order to explain its rapid spread. We examine and discuss recent changes in its role as a vector, particularly in the transmission of arboviruses, and its importance in the current and future emergence of pathogens. Finally, we report conventional and innovative ways to control A. albopictus.