The mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Nuevo León, Mexico, with descriptions of two new species.

Aldo I Ortega-Morales,Javier Alfonso Garza-Hernández,Quetzaly K Siller-Rodríguez,Ildefonso Fernández-Salas,Thomas J Zavortink,Bi-Song Yue

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0217694

Abstract

To document the diversity and distribution of mosquitoes inhabiting the Mexican state of Nuevo León, collection trips were conducted to all physiographic regions (Grand Northamerican Plains, Coastal Plain of North Gulf, and Sierra Madre Oriental) and subregions across the state. A total of 3,176 specimens were collected. Additionally, we re-examined mosquito specimens in two Mexican entomological collections: The Collection of Insects and Mites of Medical Importance and the Collection of Arthropods of Medical Importance. These represent the two culicid subfamilies Anophelinae and Culicinae, 8 tribes, 12 genera, 25 subgenera, and 64 named species. Of these, 1 tribe, 2 genera, 5 subgenera, and 14 species are new records for the mosquito fauna of Nuevo León. Three undescribed species were collected. Two are described in this study: Aedes (Ochlerotatus) amateuri Ortega & Zavortink n. sp., and Aedes (Protomacleaya) lewnielseni Ortega & Zavortink n. sp. The third belongs to the genus Wyeomyia. Twelve species previously recorded from Nuevo León were not collected during this study. Taxonomic notes, new distribution limits, and comments about the medical importance of some species are reported.

Highlights

Nuevo Leon is one of the Mexican states that has been best studied in terms of taxonomy and distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)
Species that occur in the Nearctic Region that extend into northeastern Mexico where they reach their southern limit of distribution in Nuevo Leon includes Culiseta melanura
This develops in ground pools and extends from the Nearctic Region into the Grand Northamerican Plains in the state of Nuevo Leon

Summary

Introduction

Nuevo Leon is one of the Mexican states that has been best studied in terms of taxonomy and distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Prior to the present study, the list of mosquitoes known to occur in Nuevo Leon included 44 species that were documented in previous studies, mostly investigations by students [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Most of these studies were conducted only in urban or suburban regions, neglecting the mountane forests.

Methods

Results

Conclusion