Landscape structure affects distribution of potential disease vectors (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

BackgroundVector-pathogen dynamics are controlled by fluctuations of potential vector communities, such as the Culicidae. Assessment of mosquito community diversity and, in particular, identification of environmental parameters shaping these communities is therefore of key importance for the design of adequate surveillance approaches. In this study, we assess effects of climatic parameters and habitat structure on mosquito communities in eastern Austria to deliver these highly relevant baseline data.MethodsFemale mosquitoes were sampled twice a month from April to October 2014 and 2015 at 35 permanent and 23 non-permanent trapping sites using carbon dioxide-baited traps. Differences in spatial and seasonal abundance patterns of Culicidae taxa were identified using likelihood ratio tests; possible effects of environmental parameters on seasonal and spatial mosquito distribution were analysed using multivariate statistical methods. We assessed community responses to environmental parameters based on 14-day-average values that affect ontogenesis.ResultsAltogether 29,734 female mosquitoes were collected, and 21 of 42 native as well as two of four non-native mosquito species were reconfirmed in eastern Austria. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in mosquito abundance between sampling years and provinces. Incidence and abundance patterns were found to be linked to 14-day mean sunshine duration, humidity, water–level maxima and the amount of precipitation. However, land cover classes were found to be the most important factor, effectively assigning both indigenous and non-native mosquito species to various communities, which responded differentially to environmental variables.ConclusionsThese findings thus underline the significance of non-climatic variables for future mosquito prediction models and the necessity to consider these in mosquito surveillance programmes.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2140-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impacts of sampling rhythm and exposition on the effectiveness of artificial resting shelters for mosquito collection in northern Germany

“…Hence, knowledge of the spatial‐temporal distribution of mosquitoes and the monitoring of mosquito‐borne pathogens is crucial to assess the risk for human and animal health. For that purpose, mosquitoes are commonly collected by conventional active traps (Versteirt et al 2013, Zittra et al 2017, Wagner et al 2018). Those traps attract adult mosquitoes by olfactory lures or visual cues.…”

DNA-aided identification of Culex mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) reveals unexpected diversity in underground cavities in Austria

“…Mosquitoes (Culicidae) include vectors of human and veterinary pathogens such as arboviruses, haemosporidians and filarioid nematodes (Norris 2004 ; Schoener et al 2017 ; Übleis et al 2018 ). Distribution and transmission of these pathogens are regulated through communities of potential vector organisms (Zittra et al 2017a ). About 10% of the 3500 known mosquito species play a major role in pathogen transmission (Becker et al 2010 ; Diniz et al 2017 ).…”

Improved spatial ecological sampling using open data and standardization: an example from malaria mosquito surveillance

“…Conversely, remote sensing data can be used to define the ecological level of disease risk based on mosquito ecological suitability (61,67). This is a cheaper and quicker option, but may not have the spatial and temporal resolution necessary for practical interventions (23,(68)(69)(70)(71). In a sampling design, trap-based indices and remote sensing analyses must be seen as complementary tools, since remote sensing data contain the information necessary to define location and distance between sampling points.…”

“…forest (class 20, Figure 4) in Malindi (Kenya) is not equivalent to forest in Obuasi (Ghana) or Grand Popo (Benin). Ecological classification, while not often used in modelling mosquito populations and communities for medium-and large-scale analyses, represents a complex interaction of the environmental and socio-economic conditions (23).…”

“…However, the method used or assumptions made to choose the withinstrata location and number of traps were not described, perhaps because these were entirely guided by practical considerations (i.e. (23)). Conversely, descriptions of sampling over time are often provided in detail, with explicit information on the frequency and length of the sampling campaign.…”