Using RNAlater to Preserve Mosquitoes for Age and Species Identification
Author Information
Author(s): Maggy Sikulu, Kayla M Dowell, Leon E Hugo, Robert A Wirtz, Kristin Michel, Kamaranga H Peiris, Sarah Moore, Gerry F Killeen, Floyd E Dowell
Primary Institution: Griffith University
Hypothesis
Can RNAlater® effectively preserve mosquitoes for accurate age and species identification using near-infrared spectroscopy?
Conclusion
RNAlater® can preserve mosquitoes for scanning and analysis by NIRS with accuracy similar to that of fresh insects.
Supporting Evidence
- The mean accuracy for predicting the age of preserved samples was 90%.
- Preserving mosquitoes in RNAlater® reduced misclassification likelihood by 46%.
- Costs for preserving mosquito specimens with RNAlater® range from 3-13 cents per insect.
Takeaway
Researchers found that using a special solution called RNAlater helps keep mosquitoes fresh for testing their age and type, just like using fresh ones.
Methodology
Mosquitoes were scanned fresh and after preservation in RNAlater® for several weeks, with age and species identified using cross-validation.
Limitations
Further study is needed to develop robust calibrations applicable to other strains from diverse ecological settings.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.09
Confidence Interval
0.45 - 0.92
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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