From Genes to Ecosystems: Ecology and Genetics of Diseases Vectors

Vector-borne disease transmission is the result of complex interactions among vectors, pathogens, hosts, and environmental factors. These processes do not occur in isolation but are influenced by a dynamic network of biological, ecological, and evolutionary relationships. Understanding these interactions requires a multidisciplinary and integrative approach that encompasses multiple scales of analysis, from the molecular, genetic, and genomic study of vectors to the ecology of populations, communities, and landscapes. Factors such as the genetic variability of vectors, their adaptability to different environments, interactions with human and animal hosts, as well as ecological and climatic conditions, play a crucial role in the geographic distribution, abundance, behavior, and vectorial capacity of these species. This special issue will focus on the ecology and genetics of vectors of pathogens responsible for human diseases, with the aim of bringing together research that explores how genetic and ecological factors influence their evolution, local adaptation, and transmission potential.

The principal aim of this collection is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date framework on the genetic, ecological, and immunological diversity of disease vectors, especially insects, addressing the complexity of their biology and their interaction with the pathogens they transmit. The aim is to understand how various factors, including climate change, habitat transformation due to human activities, urbanization, pesticide use, and other environmental factors, influence vector dynamics and the ability of these organisms to adapt, survive, and transmit disease. By integrating genetic, ecological, and immunological perspectives, this issue aims to promote the identification of key mechanisms that regulate susceptibility or resistance to infections, thus contributing to the design of more effective and innovative strategies for epidemiological surveillance, environmental monitoring, and sustainable vector control.

This Research Topic has the potential to become a key reference for researchers, public health professionals, and decision-makers interested in understanding and managing vector-borne diseases. By bringing together studies that address the genetic, ecological, and immune diversity of vectors in distinct environmental and social contexts, we hope to offer a holistic view that facilitates the development of more precise tools for entomological and epidemiological surveillance. Furthermore, the findings presented can contribute to the design of more effective, sustainable, and locally adapted control strategies, including innovative approaches based on genetic manipulation or biological control. This issue also seeks to foster interdisciplinary and regional collaboration, promoting the integration of genomic, ecological, and climatic data to anticipate risks, respond to health emergencies, and generate more informed public policies in the face of the growing challenge of vector-borne diseases. Contributions exploring the following topics are welcome:
• Genetic diversity and evolution of vectors of tropical and emerging diseases;
• Ecological-genetic interactions and their impact on pathogen transmission dynamics;
• Influence of environmental, anthropogenic, or climatic changes on vector ecology and genetics;
• Applications of genomics, transcriptomics, and metagenomics to understand vector biology;
• Integrated surveillance and control strategies based on ecological and genetic knowledge;
• Immune mechanisms of vectors against pathogens and their role in transmission dynamics.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: ecology, genetics, vectors, vector-borne diseases, tropical diseases

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.