Fluctuating asymmetry in the wings of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) from selected barangays in Iligan City, Philippines

Abstract

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) measures deviations from the ideal state of symmetry, and is therefore thought to reflect the level of genetic and environmental stress experienced by individuals or populations during development. It measures the variations from symmetry of the right and left sides of bilateral organisms since, both sides of a symmetrical structure are said to be genetically identical, with similar history of gene activity and experiencing the same environment. It is a most common tool used for measuring developmental instability. In this study, the potential for FA as a biomarker of stress and as an indicator of developmental instability was evaluated in the wings of the common household mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus from three different breeding sites. This is to understand the nature and variation of natural populations of C. quinquefasciatus found in Iligan City. The samples consist of 90 individuals (females), 30 from each site. FA of each sample from every site was measured for comparison. In this study, anatomical landmarks were subjected to Procrustes superimposition and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) using Symmetry and Asymmetry in Geometric Data (SAGE) program. Results yield highly significant FA in the wings of C. quinquefasciatus collected from the three barangays. This implies that species present in the three areas may exhibit inability to buffer stress in its developmental pathways and manifest increase level of FA hence, have possible implications on species fitness and its status as a vector.