Abstract
Little is known about the Anopheles species of the coastal areas of French Guiana, or their spatiotemporal distribution or environmental determinants. The present study aimed to (1) document the distribution of Anopheles fauna in the coastal area around Cayenne, and (2) investigate the use of remotely sensed land cover data as proxies of Anopheles presence. To characterise the Anopheles fauna, we combined the findings of two entomological surveys that were conducted during the period 2007-2009 and in 2014 at 37 sites. Satellite imagery data were processed to extract land cover variables potentially related to Anopheles ecology. Based on these data, a methodology was formed to estimate a statistical predictive model of the spatial-seasonal variations in the presence of Anopheles in the Cayenne region. Two Anopheles species, known as main malaria vectors in South America, were identified, including the more dominant An. aquasalis near town and rural sites, and An. darlingi only found in inland sites. Furthermore, a cross-validated model of An. aquasalis presence that integrated marsh and forest surface area was extrapolated to generate predictive maps. The present study supports the use of satellite imagery by health authorities for the surveillance of malaria vectors and planning of control strategies.
Highlights
French Guiana is an overseas French territory of 250,000 inhabitants located in northern South America
The aim of the present study was to furnish an updated map of the distribution of Anopheles species, using the findings of two entomological surveys, in order to assess the risk of reintroducing malaria online | memorias.ioc.fiocruz.br
Thereafter, we investigated all possible multivariate combinations of the remaining variables, and the selection of the final model was based on statistical indicators, including the minimisation of Akaike information criterion (AIC) values (Akaike 1973), and maximisation of the area under the curve (AUC), which was computed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis
Summary
French Guiana is an overseas French territory of 250,000 inhabitants located in northern South America. Anopheles darlingi has historically been considered the main malaria vector in the territory, based on its natural infectivity, anthropophily, and broad distribution (Floch & Abonnenc 1943a, Pajot et al 1977, Girod et al 2008, 2011). In decreasing order of frequency, An. darlingi, An. braziliensis, and An. triannulatus were observed, these three species were nearly absent at sites near the urban area of Cayenne. The aim of the present study was to furnish an updated map of the distribution of Anopheles species, using the findings of two entomological surveys, in order to assess the risk of reintroducing malaria online | memorias.ioc.fiocruz.br. Fig. 1: historical distribution of Anopheles species in the coastal areas of Cayenne, French Guiana [adapted from Floch (1954)]. The resulting maps and model of Anopheles occurrence may provide tools for future mosquito management and land-use planning
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
