Urban populations of Aedes aegypti from central Argentina: dispersal patterns assesed by Bayesian and multivariate methods

Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue and other arboviruses, was declared eradicated from Argentina in 1964; however, in 1987 it was detected again and nowadays it occurs in most of the country territory. To understand the transmission of vector-borne diseases, knowledge of the dispersal of vector populations is essential to evaluate the risk of pathogen transmission. We conducted a micro-geographic population genetic analysis of Ae. aegypti in 20 neighborhoods from Córdoba, the second largest city in Argentina, using 10 microsatellite loci. High genetic differentiation and the absence of an isolation by distance pattern was found using Weir and Cockerham’s θ. Bayesian and multivariate clustering analyses showed that all studied sites included individuals with high membership coefficients (Q) in their populations and others admixed or with membership in another cluster. Individuals with high Q in clusters different from the population in which they were collected strongly suggests that passive transport is important to shape Ae. aegypti dispersal pattern in Córdoba city. Knowing the genetic structure of Ae. aegypti populations and their dispersal patterns would contribute to the implementation of vector control program.