The role of passive migration in the dispersal of resistance genes in Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus within French Polynesia

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Abstract
Summary: We have investigated the distribution of resistance genes in relation to genetic structure and gene flow between various islands of French Polynesia in Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus. We show that (1) resistance to organophosphorous insecticides, mediated by A2–B2 esterases, is present in all islands, (2) A2–B2 frequency decreases as distance from Tahiti increases, and (3) genetic differentiation (measured as estimates of the Fst, parameter from allozyme polymorphism) between islands is significantly correlated to geographic distances which is also correlated to air or sea commercial traffic. These data are discussed in relation to A2–B2 invasion of French Polynesian islands.