Abstract
Mansonia spp. are voracious hematophagous mosquitoes whose mature stages usually breed in freshwater bodies containing aquatic vegetation. The reduction in water flow leads to a proliferation in aquatic plants, increasing their populations. Besides, some species are potential vectors of pathogens such as arboviruses and microfilariae. We evaluated the degree of active dispersion of females of Mansonia spp. in the surrounding area of the Jirau hydroelectric power plant in the Amazon, Rondônia, Brazil, using mark-release-recapture techniques. The flight behavior of the recaptured specimens was summarized with a set of average and maximum distances traveled. We show that the dispersal movement of Mansonia spp. is predominantly performed by random, low, and short flights, with a tendency to remain near the breeding sites in certain vegetation fragments. However, the maximum distances traveled were 2000 m from the release point for Mansonia amazonensis during 2018 and Mansonia humeralis during 2019.
Highlights
Mansonia Blanchard, 1901 has 25 species in two subgenera: Mansonioides and Mansonia (Theobald, 1907)
The present study aims to analyze the movement patterns of Mansonia spp. in the surrounding area of the Jirau hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in Rondônia state, in the Brazilian Amazon
Recaptures are represented by eight species of the genus Mansonia, with a different number of specimens recaptured in each seasonal period, showing distinct trends in species abundance and dispersion from the release point (Table 2)
Summary
Mansonia Blanchard, 1901 has 25 species in two subgenera: Mansonioides and Mansonia (Theobald, 1907). Mansonia females are aggressive and voracious hematophagous mosquitoes, with preferential nocturnal activity. These mosquitoes mainly live in forests, they can settle in the outskirts of cities and inhabited centers when favorable conditions are present in the form of suitable breeding sites[1,3,5]. Active immature forms of Mansonia have a spiracular apparatus adapted to piercing submerged vegetation, latching on to aquatic plants, and extracting oxygen from their airy p arenchyma[5]. Mansonia species are pests that represent a danger to human life and livestock in certain regions[3], rendering some places unsuitable for living or livestock farming due to their aggressive hematophagous behavior. Mansonia indubitans Dyar & Shannon, 1925 and Ma. titillans (Walker, 1848) have already been found to be infected with arboviruses, including ones that cause encephalitis, making them potential vectors for these viruses[6]
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