Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) diversity and arbovirus detection across an urban and agricultural landscape

• Published in: Acta tropica Vol. 257; p. 107321
• Main Authors: Izquierdo-Suzán, Mónica, Zavala-Guerrero, Paula B., Mendoza, Hugo, Portela Salomão, Renato, Vázquez-Pichardo, Mauricio, Von Thaden, Juan José, Medellín, Rodrigo A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-09-2024
• Subjects: Aedes - classification; Aedes - virology; Agricultural landscape; Agriculture; Animals; Arboviruses - classification; Arboviruses - isolation & purification; Biodiversity; Cities; Culicidae - classification; Culicidae - virology; Dengue virus; Ecosystem; Mexico - epidemiology; Mosquito diversity; Mosquito Vectors - classification; Mosquito Vectors - virology; Urban landscape; Zika virus; Zika Virus - genetics; Zika Virus - isolation & purification; Mexico; Agricultural landscape; Urban landscape; Zika virus; Dengue virus; Mosquito diversity
• ISSN: 0001-706X; 1873-6254; 1873-6254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107321

•Land use affects mosquito species richness in tropical deciduous forest.•Zika and dengue virus were detected in 85 % of captured mosquito species.•The first reports of Zika and dengue virus for multiple Aedes and Culex species.•Entomovirological surveillance needs to advocate for a deeper understanding of vector ecology.
Fragmented landscapes in Mexico, characterized by a mix of agricultural, urban, and native vegetation cover, presents unique ecological characteristics that shape the mosquito community composition and mosquito-borne diseases. The extent to which landscape influences mosquito populations and mosquito-borne diseases is still poorly understood. This work assessed the effect of landscape metrics -agriculture, urban, and native vegetation cover- on mosquito diversity and arbovirus presence in fragmented tropical deciduous forests in Central Mexico during 2021. Among the 21 mosquito species across six genera we identified, Culex quinquefasciatus was the most prevalent species, followed by Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. epactius. Notably, areas with denser native vegetation cover displayed higher mosquito species richness, which could have an impact on phenomena such as the dilution effect. Zika and dengue virus were detected in 85% of captured species, with first reports of DENV in several Aedes species and ZIKV in multiple Aedes and Culex species. These findings underscore the necessity of expanding arbovirus surveillance beyond Ae. aegypti and advocate for a deeper understanding of vector ecology in fragmented landscapes to adequately address public health strategies.
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