Abstract
This record represents the first report for adult Culex poicilipes from Saudi Arabia (a farm near Albahir village of Sabya Governate, Jazan region southwest of Saudi Arabia, N: 42.58810, E:17.121738) was noted. This was occurred during a routine surveillance for adult mosquitoes in February 2021 carried out by Sabya vector control station and the laboratory of vector-borne diseases, Saudi Public Health Authority. With this new record, the number of Culex mosquito species known to occur in Jazan region increases to 19 while for Saudi Arabia to 20. Similarly, the total number of mosquito species known to occur in Saudi Arabia increases to 50.This record necessitates conducting more researches on the biology and bionomics of Culex poicilipes under local conditions, as well as complementing the morphological identification with molecular characterizations and gene diversity. The possible role of the species in pathogens transmission, especially West Nile and Rift Valley fever viruses, should also be investigated. Keywords: Culex poicilipes, New record, Saudi Arabia, Jazan region DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-4-03 Publication date: April 30 th 2021
Highlights
Mosquito fauna of Saudi Arabia have been widely studied by many authors
The total number of mosquito species known to occur in Saudi Arabia increases to 50.This record necessitates conducting more researches on the biology and bionomics of Culex poicilipes under local conditions, as well as complementing the morphological identification with molecular characterizations and gene diversity
Using the pictorial key of Harbach (1985) and the website of Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU) (Culex poicilipes (Theobald, 1903) | Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU)), the following morphological features were noted for Culex poicilipes from Saudi Arabia: Head: Proboscis with median pale band, and it was longer than forefemur (Fig.2)
Summary
Mosquito fauna of Saudi Arabia have been widely studied by many authors. These studies were summarized and updated in a list published by Alahmad et al, (2019) containing forty-nine mosquito species definitely known to occur in the country (18 Anophelines and 31 Culicines).Mosquito-borne diseases in Saudi Arabia including dengue fever, malaria, Rift Valley fever and microfilariae, cause diseases in the KSA (Alhaeli et al, 2016; Samy et al, 2017; Hotez et al, 2012). Correct identification of vector species and knowledge of their distributions and biology in a specific geographical area are crucial requirements for disease epidemiology and control. It is highly required to have adequate information about mosquito species and their geographical distribution in a certain area to determine the risk of relevant disease transmission. Culex poicilipes is a known vector of West Nile and Rift Valley fever viruses in west Africa especially Senegal and Mauritania (Diallo et al, 2005). The aim of this brief communication is to record Culex poicilipes from Saudi Arabia for the time
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