This study updates the diversity, distribution, and seasonal trends of mosquitoes in a western region of Spain, assesses ecological determinants of Culex pipiens s.l., and determines form composition of Cx. pipiens s.s. populations. A total of 1,495 mosquitoes of 16 species was collected during 2012–2013, of which Cx. pipiens s.l. and Cx. theileri were the most abundant. Five new records for An. maculipennis s.s., Orthopodomyia pulcripalpis, Aedes (Ochlerotatus) punctor, Cx. europaeus, and Cx. modestus were found for this region. Cx. pipiens density varied across weather and habitat patterns, correlating positively with high temperatures and with a preference for urbanized areas and rural areas within a proximity of ovine farms. Moreover, molecular identification by CQ11FL was performed in 467 Cx. pipiens s.s., detecting both pipiens (66%) and molestus (8.4%) forms coexisting in different habitats (urban, peri-urban and rural) aboveground with a high degree of hybridization (25.7%). The abundance of Cx. pipiens in urban areas and farms, with the presence of hybrids, may increase their capacity to act as bridge vectors for the transmission of arboviral infections. These data will be helpful for further implementation of entomological programs focused on risk assessment for arboviruses or other mosquito-borne pathogens.
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1 June 2017
The Mosquito Fauna of the Western Region of Spain with Emphasis on Ecological Factors and the Characterization of Culex pipiens Forms
Daniel Bravo-Barriga,
Bruno Gomes,
Antonio P.G. Almeida,
Francisco J. Serrano-Aguilera,
Juan E. Pérez-Martín,
Rafael Calero-Bernal,
David Reina,
Eva Frontera,
João Pinto
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Journal of Vector Ecology
Vol. 42 • No. 1
June 2017
Vol. 42 • No. 1
June 2017
CQ11FL
Culex pipiens
ecological factor
hybrids
molestus form
Spain