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De-novo genome assembly of the invasive mosquito species Aedes japonicus and Aedes koreicus
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  • Paolo Ctapano,
  • Monica Falcinelli,
  • Claudia Damiani,
  • Alessia Cappelli,
  • Despoina Koukouli,
  • Paolo Rossi,
  • Irene Ricci,
  • Valerio Napolioni,
  • Guido Favia
Paolo Ctapano
University of Camerino
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Monica Falcinelli
University of Camerino
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Claudia Damiani
University of Camerino
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Alessia Cappelli
University of Camerino
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Despoina Koukouli
University of Camerino
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Paolo Rossi
University of Camerino
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Irene Ricci
University of Camerino
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Valerio Napolioni
University of Camerino
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Guido Favia
University of Camerino

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Recently, two invasive Aedes mosquito species, Ae. japonicus and Ae. koreicus, are circulating in several European countries posing potential health risks to humans and animals. Vector control is the main option to prevent mosquito-borne diseases, and an accurate genome sequence of these mosquitoes is essential to better understand their biology and to develop effective control strategies. Here, we present a de novo genome assembly of the Ae. japonicus (Ajap1) and Ae. koreicus (Akor1) based on a hybrid approach that combines Oxford Nanopore long reads and Illumina short reads data. Their quality was ascertained using various metrics. Masking of repetitive elements, gene prediction and functional annotation was performed. Sequence analysis revealed a very high presence of repetitive DNA and, among others, thermal adaptation genes and insecticide-resistance genes. Through the RNAseq analysis of larvae and adults of Ae. koreicus and Ae. japonicus exposed to different temperatures (15 and 28°C) we also identified genes showing a differential temperature-dependent activation. The assembly of Akor1 and Ajap1 genomes constitutes the first updated collective knowledge of the genomes of both mosquito species, providing the possibility of understanding key mechanisms of their biology such as the ability to adapt to harsh climates and to develop insecticide-resistance mechanisms.