Karthikeyan Chandrasegaran
@karthikeyanc.bsky.social
Assistant Professor, Entomology at UC Riverside. Mosquito ecology, vector biology, phenotypic plasticity, trait-environment interactions, disease transmission.
https://profiles.ucr.edu/karthikeyan.chandrasegaran1
https://kcmosquitolab.weebly.com/
https://profiles.ucr.edu/karthikeyan.chandrasegaran1
https://kcmosquitolab.weebly.com/
11/15
Modeling revealed that intervention timing, efficacy, & ecological feedback shape outbreak outcomes. High-efficacy adulticides reduced transmission, but sub-lethal larvicide exposure—especially when applied late—increased outbreak size by favoring survival of larger, more competent mosquitoes.
Modeling revealed that intervention timing, efficacy, & ecological feedback shape outbreak outcomes. High-efficacy adulticides reduced transmission, but sub-lethal larvicide exposure—especially when applied late—increased outbreak size by favoring survival of larger, more competent mosquitoes.
June 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
11/15
Modeling revealed that intervention timing, efficacy, & ecological feedback shape outbreak outcomes. High-efficacy adulticides reduced transmission, but sub-lethal larvicide exposure—especially when applied late—increased outbreak size by favoring survival of larger, more competent mosquitoes.
Modeling revealed that intervention timing, efficacy, & ecological feedback shape outbreak outcomes. High-efficacy adulticides reduced transmission, but sub-lethal larvicide exposure—especially when applied late—increased outbreak size by favoring survival of larger, more competent mosquitoes.
10/15
Populations skewed toward larger females, resulting from reduced larval competition under low-density conditions, produced faster and more extensive ZIKV outbreaks — demonstrating how developmental environments modulate transmission potential at the population scale.
Populations skewed toward larger females, resulting from reduced larval competition under low-density conditions, produced faster and more extensive ZIKV outbreaks — demonstrating how developmental environments modulate transmission potential at the population scale.
June 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
10/15
Populations skewed toward larger females, resulting from reduced larval competition under low-density conditions, produced faster and more extensive ZIKV outbreaks — demonstrating how developmental environments modulate transmission potential at the population scale.
Populations skewed toward larger females, resulting from reduced larval competition under low-density conditions, produced faster and more extensive ZIKV outbreaks — demonstrating how developmental environments modulate transmission potential at the population scale.
9/15
To scale up our findings, we developed a transmission model informed by mosquito life history traits. By incorporating body size–dependent parameters shaped by larval ecology, the Larval Mass Model (LMM) revealed that outbreak dynamics depend not just on abundance, but on adult phenotypes.
To scale up our findings, we developed a transmission model informed by mosquito life history traits. By incorporating body size–dependent parameters shaped by larval ecology, the Larval Mass Model (LMM) revealed that outbreak dynamics depend not just on abundance, but on adult phenotypes.
June 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
9/15
To scale up our findings, we developed a transmission model informed by mosquito life history traits. By incorporating body size–dependent parameters shaped by larval ecology, the Larval Mass Model (LMM) revealed that outbreak dynamics depend not just on abundance, but on adult phenotypes.
To scale up our findings, we developed a transmission model informed by mosquito life history traits. By incorporating body size–dependent parameters shaped by larval ecology, the Larval Mass Model (LMM) revealed that outbreak dynamics depend not just on abundance, but on adult phenotypes.
7/15
These 7 hub genes are consistently expressed across mated and virgin females, indicating a mating-independent, body size–linked transcriptional program. They relate to chemosensation, reproduction, and virus transmission, linking larval growing conditions to adult behavior and vector potential.
These 7 hub genes are consistently expressed across mated and virgin females, indicating a mating-independent, body size–linked transcriptional program. They relate to chemosensation, reproduction, and virus transmission, linking larval growing conditions to adult behavior and vector potential.
June 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
7/15
These 7 hub genes are consistently expressed across mated and virgin females, indicating a mating-independent, body size–linked transcriptional program. They relate to chemosensation, reproduction, and virus transmission, linking larval growing conditions to adult behavior and vector potential.
These 7 hub genes are consistently expressed across mated and virgin females, indicating a mating-independent, body size–linked transcriptional program. They relate to chemosensation, reproduction, and virus transmission, linking larval growing conditions to adult behavior and vector potential.
6/15
To uncover molecular drivers of size-dependent traits, we profiled head transcriptome of large & small females. Body size—shaped by larval crowding—was linked to differential expression in chemosensory & salivary genes. Network analysis found 7 hub genes linking larval ecology to vector traits.
To uncover molecular drivers of size-dependent traits, we profiled head transcriptome of large & small females. Body size—shaped by larval crowding—was linked to differential expression in chemosensory & salivary genes. Network analysis found 7 hub genes linking larval ecology to vector traits.
June 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
6/15
To uncover molecular drivers of size-dependent traits, we profiled head transcriptome of large & small females. Body size—shaped by larval crowding—was linked to differential expression in chemosensory & salivary genes. Network analysis found 7 hub genes linking larval ecology to vector traits.
To uncover molecular drivers of size-dependent traits, we profiled head transcriptome of large & small females. Body size—shaped by larval crowding—was linked to differential expression in chemosensory & salivary genes. Network analysis found 7 hub genes linking larval ecology to vector traits.
5/15
Since peripheral detection thresholds didn’t differ by size, we asked: where does behavioral divergence arise? Antennal lobe recordings showed CO₂ and host volatiles modulate each other’s representations in a size- and context-dependent manner—linking larval ecology to adult behavior.
Since peripheral detection thresholds didn’t differ by size, we asked: where does behavioral divergence arise? Antennal lobe recordings showed CO₂ and host volatiles modulate each other’s representations in a size- and context-dependent manner—linking larval ecology to adult behavior.
June 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
5/15
Since peripheral detection thresholds didn’t differ by size, we asked: where does behavioral divergence arise? Antennal lobe recordings showed CO₂ and host volatiles modulate each other’s representations in a size- and context-dependent manner—linking larval ecology to adult behavior.
Since peripheral detection thresholds didn’t differ by size, we asked: where does behavioral divergence arise? Antennal lobe recordings showed CO₂ and host volatiles modulate each other’s representations in a size- and context-dependent manner—linking larval ecology to adult behavior.
4/15
To understand the basis of these behavioral differences, we tested peripheral olfactory responses. Both size classes detected host and plant volatiles at similar thresholds, but larger females showed higher response amplitudes—possibly due to larger antennae.
To understand the basis of these behavioral differences, we tested peripheral olfactory responses. Both size classes detected host and plant volatiles at similar thresholds, but larger females showed higher response amplitudes—possibly due to larger antennae.
June 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
4/15
To understand the basis of these behavioral differences, we tested peripheral olfactory responses. Both size classes detected host and plant volatiles at similar thresholds, but larger females showed higher response amplitudes—possibly due to larger antennae.
To understand the basis of these behavioral differences, we tested peripheral olfactory responses. Both size classes detected host and plant volatiles at similar thresholds, but larger females showed higher response amplitudes—possibly due to larger antennae.
3/15
Responses to human odor (alone or with CO₂) were body size–dependent. Larger females were more attracted to host cues and less affected by repellents. These size-linked behaviors clustered in trait space, reflecting lasting effects of larval conditions on adult olfaction.
Responses to human odor (alone or with CO₂) were body size–dependent. Larger females were more attracted to host cues and less affected by repellents. These size-linked behaviors clustered in trait space, reflecting lasting effects of larval conditions on adult olfaction.
June 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
3/15
Responses to human odor (alone or with CO₂) were body size–dependent. Larger females were more attracted to host cues and less affected by repellents. These size-linked behaviors clustered in trait space, reflecting lasting effects of larval conditions on adult olfaction.
Responses to human odor (alone or with CO₂) were body size–dependent. Larger females were more attracted to host cues and less affected by repellents. These size-linked behaviors clustered in trait space, reflecting lasting effects of larval conditions on adult olfaction.
2/15
Mosquito life history is multidimensional and strongly mediated by body size. Larval crowding altered development time, survival, and fecundity, and these shifts co-varied with adult body size, forming distinct phenotypic clusters in multivariate trait space.
Mosquito life history is multidimensional and strongly mediated by body size. Larval crowding altered development time, survival, and fecundity, and these shifts co-varied with adult body size, forming distinct phenotypic clusters in multivariate trait space.
June 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
2/15
Mosquito life history is multidimensional and strongly mediated by body size. Larval crowding altered development time, survival, and fecundity, and these shifts co-varied with adult body size, forming distinct phenotypic clusters in multivariate trait space.
Mosquito life history is multidimensional and strongly mediated by body size. Larval crowding altered development time, survival, and fecundity, and these shifts co-varied with adult body size, forming distinct phenotypic clusters in multivariate trait space.