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Abstract
Globally, mosquitoes constitute the most important group of disease vectors transmitting numerous diseases of importance to human and animal health. A critical component of transmission is vectorial capacity: likelihood of the vector surviving until the parasite becomes infective (extrinsic incubation period) and likelihood of an immature parasite developing to its infective stage (vector competence). Anthropogenic contamination (e.g., heavy metals) can negatively or positively affect vectorial capacity, but a lack of investigation of heavy metal (e.g., methylmercury and copper) exposure on mosquito vectorial capacity remains. The objectives of this study were investigating how heavy metal exposure affected Aedes aegypti fitness and vectorial capacity of Dirofilaria immitis. Data suggests there is a significant dose-dependent effect of methylmercury on mosquito oviposition behavior, fecundity, and copper effect on mosquito accumulation and vector competence. Knowledge gained from this study will improve understanding of heavy metal contamination on vectors, parasites, aquatic-terrestrial transfer, and vector-borne diseases.