Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Major/Program
Biology
First Advisor's Name
Dr. DeEtta Kay Mills
First Advisor's Committee Title
Committee chair
Second Advisor's Name
Dr. Maria Elena Villar
Second Advisor's Committee Title
Committee member
Third Advisor's Name
Dr. Daniel Gann
Third Advisor's Committee Title
Committee member
Fourth Advisor's Name
Dr. Anthony Bellantuono
Fourth Advisor's Committee Title
Committee member
Fifth Advisor's Name
Dr. Matthew DeGennaro
Fifth Advisor's Committee Title
Committee member
Keywords
Citizen Science, Bioinformatics, Aedes aegypti, Mosquito, Whole Genome Sequencing, Pedagogy, Mosquito Surveillance, Population Genomics, Landscape Ecology
Date of Defense
5-17-2023
Abstract
Mosquitoes can transmit deadly vector-borne viruses, causing substantial health risks. To be effective in their abatement, county control plans must understand urban habitats and the community factors that influence vector population growth. The primary objective of this dissertation is to understand mosquito infestation in Miami-Dade County and the extent that citizen science can be utilized for community-based mosquito surveillance programs. Mosquito infestation within Miami-Dade County showed infestation with mosquitoes year-round and a very pronounced difference between spring, summer, and fall (p < 0.001). Patterns in mosquito abundance were associated with meteorological factors: temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity (p < 0.05). A principal component analysis showed three distinct genetic populations separate the South Florida mosquitoes. Most mosquitoes were encompassed in one cluster and included samples from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Manatee County, suggesting the influence of genetic drift and natural selection where there is a long-term population history. Infestation information in this study was gathered through a citizen science program at Florida International University, Florida Aedes Genome Group (FLAGG). Citizen involvement in FLAGG was analyzed to measure the impact of the program on students by comparing them to their peers. The FLAGG students scored significantly better than their peers when surveyed on mosquito abatement and were more likely to be willing to participate in mosquito control surveillance (p < 0.001). Furthermore, FLAGG intern counts and expert counts showed similar seasonal and site-based trends for mosquito abundance (p < 0.001). Programs like FLAGG can be used to improve mosquito control while also generating a benefit to the participant as it fosters a sense of empowerment and engagement.
Identifier
FIDC011202
Recommended Citation
Wagner Coello, Helen Urpi, "Citizen Science as a Gateway for Mosquito Monitoring in Miami-Dade County Households" (2023). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5364.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/5364
Included in
Bioinformatics Commons, Biology Commons, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Education Commons, Genetics and Genomics Commons
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