First Report on the Molecular Phylogenetics and Population Genetics of Aedes Lineatopennis (Ludlow) in the World

Background Existing research on the vectorial capacity of Aedes lineatopennis (Ludlow) is limited and outdated, despite its medical significance. This species has the potential to transmit West Nile virus, Rift Valley fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, and dog heartworm. The identification of Ae. lineatopennis in Odisha marks the first recorded evidence of its presence in the region. However, its overall distribution remains insufficiently explored in available scientific literature. This study aims to investigate more about its zoogeography, biology, phylogeny, and genetic diversity. It will help to develop more effective methods for identifying and managing the diseases associated with it. Results The sequencing analysis identified 21 haplotypes, with haplotype diversity at 0.9754 and a variance of 0.00023. Based on the COI gene, Aedes lineatopennis sequences had 256 segregation sites and a low diversity of nucleotides (0.10724). Harpending’s raggedness statistic (R2: 0.0152) was significant (P > 0.05). The mean values for Fu and Li’s D+ (1.88172) and F+ (0.85790) statistics, along with Fu’s F statistic (1.326), were positive, though Fu and Li’s test values were not statistically significant. Strobeck’s S statistic was recorded at 0.487, while Tajima’s D value was 1.53395. We determined the mean evolutionary rates to be 0.31, 0.60, 0.88, 1.22, and 1.99 substitutions per site. The nucleotide composition was as follows: A = 29.53%, T/U = 39.98%, C = 15.55%, and G = 14.95%. Conclusions This report provides the first discovery of Aedes lineatopennis in Odisha, highlighting significant genetic diversity within the species, that is influenced by demographic changes and evolutionary forces which affect the mt COI gene. It shows recent population expansion and potential selective pressures.