@article{fdi:010066058,
  title = {{M}orphological changes in the spiracles of {A}nopheles gambiae s.l ({D}iptera) as a response to the dry season conditions in {B}urkina {F}aso ({W}est {A}frica)},
  author = {{M}amai, {W}. and {M}ouline, {K}arine and {P}arvy, {J}. {P}. and {L}e {L}annic, {J}. and {D}abire, {K}. {R}. and {O}uedraogo, {G}. {A}. and {R}enault, {D}. and {S}imard, {F}r{\'e}d{\'e}ric},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground: {S}urvival to dry season conditions of sub-{S}aharan savannahs is a major challenge for insects inhabiting such environments, especially regarding the desiccation threat they are exposed to. {W}hile extensive literature about insect seasonality has revealed morphologic, metabolic and physiological changes in many species, only a few studies have explored the responses following exposure to the stressful dry season conditions in major malaria vectors. {H}ere, we explored morphological changes triggered by exposure to dry season conditions in {A}n. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes by comparing females reared in climatic chambers reflecting environmental conditions found in mosquito habitats during the rainy and dry seasons in a savannah area of {B}urkina {F}aso ({W}est {A}frica). {R}esults: {U}sing scanning electron microscopy ({SEM}) and confocal imaging, we revealed significant changes in morphological features of the spiracles in females {A}n. gambiae s.l. exposed to contrasted environmental conditions. {H}ence, the hairs surrounding the spiracles were thicker in the three species when raised under dry season environmental conditions. {T}he thicker hairs were in some cases totally obstructing spiracular openings. {S}pecific staining provided evidence against contamination by external microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. {H}owever, only further analysis would unequivocally rule out the hypothesis of experimental artifact. {C}onclusion: {M}orphological changes in spiracular features probably help to limit body water loss during desiccating conditions, therefore contributing to insect survival. {D}ifferences between species within the {A}n. gambiae complex might therefore reflect different survival strategies used by these species to overcome the detrimental dry season conditions in the wild.},
  keywords = {{S}piracle ; {M}orphology ; {SEM} ; {D}esiccation ; {A}nopheles gambiae ; {B}urkina {F}aso ; {BURKINA} {FASO}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}arasites and {V}ectors},
  volume = {9},
  numero = {},
  pages = {art. 11 [9 p.]},
  ISSN = {1756-3305},
  year = {2016},
  DOI = {10.1186/s13071-015-1289-0},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010066058},
}