Walker, MelodyBlackwood, Julie C.Brown, VickiChilds, Lauren M.2019-11-132019-11-132018-04-27Melody Walker, Julie C. Blackwood, Vicki Brown & Lauren M. Childs (2019) Modelling Allee effects in a transgenic mosquito population during range expansion, Journal of Biological Dynamics, 13:sup1, 2-22, DOI: 10.1080/17513758.2018.1464219http://hdl.handle.net/10919/95529Mosquitoes are vectors for many diseases that cause significant mortality and morbidity. As mosquito populations expand their range, they may undergo mate-finding Allee effects such that their ability to successfully reproduce becomes difficult at low population density. With new technology, creating target specific gene modification may be a viable method for mosquito population control. We develop a mathematical model to investigate the effects of releasing transgenic mosquitoes into newly established, low-density mosquito populations. Our model consists of two life stages (aquatic and adults), which are divided into three genetically distinct groups: heterogeneous and homogeneous transgenic that cause female infertility and a homogeneous wild type. We perform analytical and numerical analyses on the equilibria to determine the level of saturation needed to eliminate mosquitoes in a given area. This model demonstrates the potential for a gene drive system to reduce the spread of invading mosquito populations.22 pagesapplication/pdfenCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 InternationalMosquito dynamicsAllee effectgene drivemathematical modelArticle - Refereedhttps://doi.org/10.1080/17513758.2018.146421913