Anopheles albitarsis
embryogenesis was analyzed through confocal microscopy of clarified eggs.
Using
Drosophila melanogaster
as reference system, the major morphogenetic events (blastoderm, gastrulation,
germ band extension, germ band retraction, dorsal closure) were identified.
The kinetics of early events is proportionally similar in both systems,
but late movements (from germ band retraction on) progress slower in
An. albitarsis
. Major differences in
An. albitarsis
related to
D. melanogaster
were: (1) pole cells do not protrude from the blastoderm; (2) the mosquito
embryo undergoes a 180º rotation movement, along its longitudinal axis;
(3) the head remains individualized throughout embryogenesis; (4) extraembryonary
membranes surround the whole embryo. A novel kind of malaria control is
under development and is based on the use of genetically modified mosquitoes.
Phenotypic analysis of the embryonic development of mutants will be imposed
as part of the evaluation of effectiveness and risk of employment of this
strategy in the field. In order to accomplish this, knowledge of the wild
type embryo is a prerequisite. Morphological studies will also serve as
basis for subsequent development biology approaches.
