Computational Entomology Laboratory, Department of Engineering and Exact Sciences, Western Paraná State University, Foz Do Iguaçu, Brazil.
Environmental Engineering and Sanitation, Leonardo da Vinci University Center, Indaial, Brazil.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 Oct;31(49):59289-59301. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-35161-1. Epub 2024 Sep 30.
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly widespread in the environment, which raises questions about their potential effects at different biological levels. It is essential to assess the impacts on biodiversity, and it is also crucial to understand whether the presence of MPs can interfere with the biological traits of species of relevance in public health. Considering that the life-history traits of mosquitoes, such as size and the wingbeat frequency (WBF), are related to its vector competence, here, we study the effects of 10 particles L (as expected concentration of MPs on the environment, using the polyethylene type) on WBF, as well as wing morphology, testing the Culicidae species found across all continents, Aedes aegypti, as an indicator. Results show that larvae survival and development were not affected by the tested concentration of MP. Geometric morphometrics showed some asymmetry in female mosquito wings, which were also smaller for individuals reared in MP suspension. As for WBF, results did not indicate any significant differences between females. Male mosquitoes, however, showed alterations in WBF and wing morphology, suggesting possible sex-specific reactions to microplastic exposure. Also, the combination of morphological parameters analyzed as covariates (wing centroid size and body weight) did not significantly affect WBF for both female and male mosquitoes. Overall, this study shows an inaugural investigation of the effects of MP on wing size and WBF on Ae. aegypti, shedding light on these parameters tested for a current pollution issue and its impact on a virus vector.
微塑料（MPs）在环境中越来越普遍，这引发了人们对其在不同生物层面潜在影响的关注。评估其对生物多样性的影响至关重要，同时也需要了解 MPs 的存在是否会干扰与公共卫生相关物种的生物学特征。鉴于蚊子的生活史特征，如体型和翅膀拍打频率（WBF）与其媒介能力有关，因此，在这里，我们研究了 10 个颗粒 L（预计环境中 MPs 的浓度，使用聚乙烯类型）对 WBF 以及翅膀形态的影响，测试了所有大陆都存在的库蚊科物种，埃及伊蚊作为指示物种。结果表明，测试浓度的 MPs 对幼虫的存活和发育没有影响。几何形态测量学显示，雌性蚊子的翅膀存在一些不对称性，而且在 MPs 悬浮液中饲养的个体翅膀也更小。至于 WBF，雌性蚊子之间没有显示出任何显著差异。然而，雄性蚊子的 WBF 和翅膀形态发生了改变，表明它们对微塑料暴露可能有特定的性别反应。此外，作为协变量分析的形态参数组合（翅心大小和体重）也没有显著影响雌性和雄性蚊子的 WBF。总体而言，这项研究首次调查了 MPs 对埃及伊蚊翅膀大小和 WBF 的影响，揭示了这些参数在当前污染问题及其对病毒媒介的影响方面的测试结果。
