@article{fdi:010048320,
  title = {{I}nversion 2{L}a is associated with enhanced desiccation resistance in {A}nopheles gambiae},
  author = {{G}ray, {E}. {M}. and {R}occa, {K}. {A}. {C}. and {C}ostantini, {C}arlo and {B}esansky, {N}. {J}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground: {A}nopheles gambiae, the principal vector of malignant malaria in {A}frica, occupies a wide range of habitats. {E}nvironmental flexibility may be conferred by a number of chromosomal inversions non-randomly associated with aridity, including 2{L}a. {T}he purpose of this study was to determine the physiological mechanisms associated with the 2{L}a inversion that may result in the preferential survival of its carriers in hygrically-stressful environments. {M}ethods: {T}wo homokaryotypic populations of {A}. gambiae (inverted 2{L}a and standard 2{L}+(a)) were created from a parental laboratory colony polymorphic for 2{L}a and standard for all other known inversions. {D}esiccation resistance, water, energy and dry mass of adult females of both populations were compared at several ages and following acclimation to a more arid environment. {R}esults: {F}emales carrying 2{L}a were significantly more resistant to desiccation than 2{L}+(a) females at emergence and four days post-emergence, for different reasons. {T}eneral 2{L}a females had lower rates of water loss than their 2{L}+(a) counterparts, while at four days, 2{L}a females had higher initial water content. {N}o differences in desiccation resistance were found at eight days, with or without acclimation. {H}owever, acclimation resulted in both populations significantly reducing their rates of water loss and increasing their desiccation resistance. {A}cclimation had contrasting effects on the body characteristics of the two populations: 2{L}a females boosted their glycogen stores and decreased lipids, whereas 2{L}a females did the contrary. {C}onclusion: {V}ariation in rates of water loss and response to acclimation are associated with alternative arrangements of the 2{L}a inversion. {U}nderstanding the mechanisms underlying these traits will help explain how inversion polymorphisms permit exploitation of a heterogeneous environment by this disease vector.},
  keywords = {},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{M}alaria {J}ournal},
  volume = {8},
  numero = {},
  pages = {215},
  ISSN = {1475-2875},
  year = {2009},
  DOI = {10.1186/1475-2875-8-215},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010048320},
}