The coastal rock pool mosquito Aedes togoi is among the few saline-tolerant mosquito species whose larvae can osmoregulate from dilute to hypersaline water. Ae. togoi is found in a relatively restricted range spanning the North Pacific coast of North America and coastal regions of Asia from subtropical to subarctic latitudes. Here, we present a de-novo chromosome-scale genome assembly and gene annotation for Ae. togoi, highlighting its relatively small genome size and novel chromosomal arrangements compared to other available genomes of Aedine mosquitoes. As part of the annotation process, we detail repeat content and distribution and curate several key multi-gene families, focusing on components of epithelial ion-transport machinery. Using these new resources, we gain mechanistic insight into the ion regulatory capabilities that power the remarkable saline tolerance of Ae. togoi’s larval stages. Altogether, we have contributed to the growing body of genomic and transcriptomic resources for diverse mosquito species and provided mechanistic insights into the molecular adaptations required for an insect to thrive in highly dynamic environments such as coastal rock pools.
Jonathan Chiang (2026) studied this question.