RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Cross-Infectivity of Vorticella across Genera of Mosquitoes for Development of Biological Mosquito Control Strategies JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 822536 DO 10.1101/822536 A1 Durden, Shelby A1 Cruz, Anthony A1 Hunter, Wayne B. A1 Debboun, Mustapha A1 Duguma, Dagne YR 2019 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/11/12/822536.abstract AB Protozoans in general comprise about one-third of the parasitic species infecting arthropod vectors, the role of free-living ciliates on mosquitoes have been insufficiently studied either due to their low pathogenicity or being facultative parasites. Studies have shown that exposure of Paramecium ciliate protists, like Vorticella species, to first instar Cx. nigripalpus larvae delayed larval development and reduced biomass of emerged adults due to competition for food sources like bacteria and other microbes essential to mosquito growth and survival. Thus, we report on the capacity of a Vorticella protozoan’s ability to cross-infect host species and parasitize multiple mosquito larvae. The unique adapted behavior with the ability to remain on the exuviae in tree hole habitats provides a novel delivery system to develop products for target species-specific mosquitocides, larvicides, or viricides to be applied and sustained in aquatic systems.