@article{fdi:010070382, title = {{E}cophysiological characterization and molecular differentiation of {C}ulex pipiens forms ({D}iptera : {C}ulicidae) in {T}unisia}, author = {{B}eji, {M}. and {R}him, {A}. and {R}oiz, {D}avid and {B}ouattour, {A}.}, editor = {}, language = {{ENG}}, abstract = {{B}ackground: {T}he {C}ulex pipiens complex ({D}iptera: {C}ulicidae) includes the most widespread mosquito species in the world. {M}embers of this complex are the primary enzootic and epidemic vectors of the {W}est {N}ile virus (genus {F}lavivirus) in several countries. {T}he two recognized forms of {C}x. pipiens ({L}innaeus, 1758) - pipiens and molestus - exhibit behavioral and physiological differences. {N}atural populations of {C}x. pipiens were investigated in several sites in {T}unisia to evaluate the ecophysiological and molecular characteristics of their forms. {R}esults: {T}he analysis showed the sympatric presence of {C}x. pipiens forms and hybrids in all studied sites. {O}f all the tested larvae of {C}x. pipiens, 33.5% were identified as pipiens, 30.8% were identified as molestus, and 35.6% were identified as hybrids. {T}he molestus and hybrid forms were positively correlated with urban habitats and belowground sites while the pipiens form was positively correlated with rural habitats and aboveground sites. {A}utogeny was expressed in all types of habitats and breeding sites. {B}y contrast with the microsatellite {CQ}11, the two molecular markers, ace-2 and cytb, did not allow differentiation between the {C}x. pipiens forms. {C}onclusions: {O}ur study shows the ubiquitous distribution and the plasticity of the different forms of {C}x. pipiens in a wide range of ecological conditions. {I}t suggests that the behavioral traits assigned to the forms of {C}x. pipiens seem to be more flexible than previously assumed. {O}ur analysis also proves that the microsatellite {CQ}11 remains an efficient tool for distinguishing between {C}x. pipiens forms.}, keywords = {{C}ulex pipiens ; {F}orm molestus ; {F}orm pipiens ; {H}ybrid ; {T}unisia ; {E}cology ; {A}utogeny ; {M}icrosatellite {CQ}11 ; {G}enetic diversity ; {TUNISIE}}, booktitle = {}, journal = {{P}arasites and {V}ectors}, volume = {10}, numero = {}, pages = {art. 327 [10 p.]}, ISSN = {1756-3305}, year = {2017}, DOI = {10.1186/s13071-017-2265-7}, URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010070382}, }