Landscape structure affects distribution of potential disease vectors (Diptera: Culicidae)

Carina Zittra,Hans-Peter Fuehrer,Johann Waringer,Adelheid G Obwaller,Thomas Zechmeister,Heidemarie Rossiter,Barbara Eigner,Simon Vitecek

doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2140-6

Abstract

BackgroundVector-pathogen dynamics are controlled by fluctuations of potential vector communities, such as the Culicidae. Assessment of mosquito community diversity and, in particular, identification of environmental parameters shaping these communities is therefore of key importance for the design of adequate surveillance approaches. In this study, we assess effects of climatic parameters and habitat structure on mosquito communities in eastern Austria to deliver these highly relevant baseline data.MethodsFemale mosquitoes were sampled twice a month from April to October 2014 and 2015 at 35 permanent and 23 non-permanent trapping sites using carbon dioxide-baited traps. Differences in spatial and seasonal abundance patterns of Culicidae taxa were identified using likelihood ratio tests; possible effects of environmental parameters on seasonal and spatial mosquito distribution were analysed using multivariate statistical methods. We assessed community responses to environmental parameters based on 14-day-average values that affect ontogenesis.ResultsAltogether 29,734 female mosquitoes were collected, and 21 of 42 native as well as two of four non-native mosquito species were reconfirmed in eastern Austria. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in mosquito abundance between sampling years and provinces. Incidence and abundance patterns were found to be linked to 14-day mean sunshine duration, humidity, water–level maxima and the amount of precipitation. However, land cover classes were found to be the most important factor, effectively assigning both indigenous and non-native mosquito species to various communities, which responded differentially to environmental variables.ConclusionsThese findings thus underline the significance of non-climatic variables for future mosquito prediction models and the necessity to consider these in mosquito surveillance programmes.

Highlights

Vector-pathogen dynamics are controlled by fluctuations of potential vector communities, such as the Culicidae
Our sampling effort represents 45–63% of the whole Austrian species inventory, including several rare taxa and we assume that the mosquito community characterized here is representative, and comprises the majority of taxa to be expected in eastern Austria
Spatiotemporal variation of mosquito communities and single species abundance We found mosquito communities and abundances of single species to be mostly affected by land cover types

Summary

Introduction

Vector-pathogen dynamics are controlled by fluctuations of potential vector communities, such as the Culicidae. Assessment of mosquito community diversity and, in particular, identification of environmental parameters shaping these communities is of key importance for the design of adequate surveillance approaches. We assess effects of climatic parameters and habitat structure on mosquito communities in eastern Austria to deliver these highly relevant baseline data. Distribution, endemicity and transmission potential of vector-borne pathogens is regulated by the communities of potential vector organisms [1, 2]. Mosquito species-specific host-feeding preferences are assumed to influence the vector capacities substantially [9] pathogen transmission is more likely influenced by host availability instead of species-specific host preferences of potential vectors [10]

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion