Impact of salinization and pollution of groundwater on the adaptation of mosquito vectors in the Jaffna peninsula, Sri Lanka

S.N Surendran,T.T.P Jayadas,M Senthilnanthanan,R Ramasamy,S.H.P.P Karunaratne

doi:10.4038/cjs.v49i2.7734

S.N Surendran, T.T.P Jayadas + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v49i2.7734

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Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases are a major health concern in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. In the absence of specific treatment for many mosquito-borne diseases, vector control in the form of eliminating preimaginal development sites and insecticide application has an important role in controlling these diseases. Anthropogenic environmental changes have become important driving forces causing the adaptation of many major mosquito vectors to such changes. Anthropogenic activities are major contributors to global warming that is causing arise in sea levels. Sea level rise along with over exploitation of groundwater results in sea water intrusion to fresh water aquifers causing fresh water salinization in coastal zones. Human activities, including the extensive use of fertilizers and agrochemicals, also cause groundwater pollution. Mosquito vectors that normally lay eggs and undergo preimaginal development in fresh water are now seen to be adapting to develop in brackish and polluted water habitats. This article reviews recent findings that show the adaptation of mosquito vectors of human diseases to lay eggs and undergo preimaginal development in groundwater that is undergoing rapid salinization and pollution in the Jaffna peninsula.

Highlights

Mosquito-borne diseases are the largest contributor to human vector-borne disease burden with more than 80% of the world population at risk (Franklinos et al, 2019)
Further studies showed that brackish water Ae. aegypti developed larger anal papillae, organs that play a role in osmoregulation, than fresh water Ae. aegypti (Surendran et al, 2018b). These findings suggest that there are genetic differences exist between brackish water and fresh water Ae. aegypti in the Jaffna peninsula
Interbreeding between brackish and fresh water Ae. aegypti from Sri Lanka was observed (Ramasamy et al, 2014), the findings demonstrate a potential for speciation in Ae. aegypti in the long term if fresh water and brackish water developing populations become reproductively isolated through efforts to eliminate their freshwater preimaginal habitats or geographically isolated in the Jaffna peninsula

Summary

Introduction

Mosquito-borne diseases are the largest contributor to human vector-borne disease burden with more than 80% of the world population at risk (Franklinos et al, 2019). This will extend salinization of groundwater to many parts of the peninsula and increase the availability of preimaginal habitats for mosquito vectors that are adapted to develop in brackish water.

Results

Conclusion