Global mosquito-associated virus diversity and potential drivers

The study provides an overview of global diversity patterns of mosquito-associated viruses (MAVs), their potential correlations with bioclimatic factors and host diversity based on publicly available data. MAV data, from the ZOVER database and an insect-specific virus database by Moonen et al. (2023), were used to map global MAV species richness, revealing significant geographic data gaps, especially in Africa and northern/western Asia, and sampling bias. Bioclimatic variables and host species richness were analysed as influencing factors for MAV diversity using Spearman correlation analysis and Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). GAMs were also applied for prediction of global MAV species richness. Hotspots of MAV diversity were mostly identified in humid sub-tropical and tropical regions, including south-west North America, the Amazon, Mediterranean, equatorial Africa, south Africa and south Asia. MAV diversity showed non-linear links with bioclimatic variables and host diversity with mean temperatures in warm and wet seasons being the most important bioclimatic predictors. A significant positive correlation was found between virus and host species richness, with varying contributions from different host sub-groups. The study emphasizes the need for standardized research on the mosquito virome in identified MAV hotspots to better understand factors influencing MAV diversity and related human health risks and benefits.