scholarly journals Population Fluctuations and Abundance Indices of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicid), as the Potential Bridge Vectors of Pathogens to Humans and Animals in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran

Author(s):  
Seyed Hassan Nikookar ◽  
Mahmoud Fazeli-Dinan ◽  
Ahmadali Enayati

Background: Seasonal activity patterns of mosquitoes are essential as baseline knowledge to understand the transmis­sion dynamics of vector-borne diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the monthly dynamics of the mosquito populations and their relation to meteorological factors in Mazandaran Province, north of Iran. Methods: Mosquito adults and larvae were collected from 16 counties of Mazandaran Province using different sam­pling techniques, once a month from May to December 2014. “Index of Species Abundance” (ISA) along with “Stand­ardized ISA” (SISA) was used for assessing the most abundant species of mosquitoes based on the explanations of Rob­ert and Hsi. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) was used to assess the relationships between the monthly population fluctuations and meteorological variables. Results: Overall, 23750 mosquitoes belonging to four genera and nineteen species were collected and identified. The highest population density of mosquitoes was in July and the lowest in May. The ISA/SISA indices for Culex pipiens were both 1 for larvae and 1.25/0.973 for adults in total catch performed in human dwellings. For Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, the ISA/SISA were 1.68/0.938 in pit shelter method. A significant positive correlation was observed between population fluctuations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and mean temperature (R: 0.766, P< 0.027). Conclusions: The results indicated that the mosquitoes are more active in July, and Cx. pipiens and Cx. tritaeniorhyn­chus were the most abundant species. Considering the potential of these species as vectors of numerous pathogens, con­trol programs can be planed based on their monthly activity pattern in the area.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Hassan Nikookar ◽  
Mahmoud Fazeli Dinan ◽  
Ahmadali Enayati

Abstract Background: Seasonal activity patterns of mosquitoes are essential as baseline knowledge to understand the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the monthly dynamics of the mosquito populations and their relation to meteorological factors in Mazandaran Province, north of Iran.Methods: Mosquito adults and larvae were collected from 16 counties of Mazandaran Province using different sampling techniques, once a month from May to December 2014. “Index of Species Abundance” (ISA) along with “Standardized ISA” (SISA) was used for assessing the most abundant species of mosquitoes based on the explanations of Robert and Hsi. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) was used to assess the relationships between the monthly population fluctuations and meteorological variables. Results: Overall, 23750 mosquitoes belonging to four genera and nineteen species were collected and identified. The highest population density of mosquitoes was in July and the lowest in May. The ISA/SISA indices showed the values of ISA/SISA: 1(larvae) and 1.25/0.973 (adult) in total catch human and shelter pit (ISA/SISA:1.68/0.938) for Culex pipiens and Culex tritaeniorhynchus, respectively, species that had the highest activity peak in July. A significant positive correlation was observed between Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and mean temperature (R: 0.766, P < 0.027).Conclusions: The results indicated that the mosquitoes are more active in July, Cx. pipiens and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were the most abundant species, due to the potential of these species as vectors of numerous pathogens, control programmes can be planed based on their monthly activity pattern in the area.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 423
Author(s):  
Mohsen Karami ◽  
Alireza Saboori ◽  
Mahdieh Asadi ◽  
Seyed Hassan Moosa-Kazemi ◽  
Mohammad Amin Gorouhi ◽  
...  

Mosquitoes transmit a wide range of vector-borne diseases to humans and animal. Due to the increase in insecticide resistance, there is a need for novel mosquito vector control programs, including biocontrol. Some water mite larvae, such as those of Arrenurus genus, act as parasites of mosquitoes. Mosquito larvae, pupae and adults were collected from three locations in Amol County, Iran by dipping and hand-catch collection methods, from May to late September 2015. Then mites were removed from mosquitoes and identified to genus level using valid identification keys. A total of 873 adults of anopheline mosquitoes belonging to three species (Anopheles maculipennis s.lat., An. pseudopictus and An. hyrcanus) were collected. We only found Arrenurus sp. mites. From 873 anopheline mosquitoes captured, 11% were parasitized by 151 mites, with a mean rate of 1.59, ranging from 1 to 14. Parasitism was higher in lowlands. Water mites, as biocontrol agents of vectors, could impact fecundity, fertility and induce other harms on host. As this study is the first research on water mite parasitism on mosquitoes in Iran, more detailed studies are needed to increase our knowledge on biology and ecology of water mites parasitizing mosquitoes in Amol and other areas in Caspian sea region in Iran.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-343
Author(s):  
Kenneth W. McCravy ◽  
Jason E. Willand

Abstract The Carabidae is a diverse family of beetles with many species of interest in conservation and biological control. Carabid beetle adult seasonal activity patterns were studied in a west-central Illinois forest/reconstructed tallgrass prairie matrix over a 2-yr period using pitfall traps. We found a threefold or greater difference in carabid abundance between years. Despite lower abundance, a second year of sampling yielded seven previously undetected species. Abundance and species richness were greatest in May–July and lower in August–October. Relative abundance and species richness were consistent among months between years. Shannon diversity and effective number of species were lowest in June and July. Cyclotrachelus sodalis (LeConte) and Chlaenius platyderus Chaudoir were the two most abundant species, comprising 54.3% of total captures. These species were most abundant in July and June, respectively. Most species showed greatest abundance in spring or early summer, and declined thereafter. Collections of several species were suggestive of bimodal seasonal patterns. Carabid species composition differed significantly among months, but not between years. Our results document seasonal variation in carabid abundance and species composition, and show that sampling throughout the growing season, and multiple sampling years, provide substantial benefits for assessments of carabid diversity in this region.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronaldo César Gurgel-Lourenço ◽  
Carlos Alberto de Sousa Rodrigues-Filho ◽  
Ronaldo Angelini ◽  
Danielle Sequeira Garcez ◽  
Jorge Iván Sánchez-Botero

Aim:To evaluate possible nycthemeral and seasonal temporal patterns in fish assemblage associated with limnological aspects and biotic factors in two reservoirs in semarid Northeastern Brazil.MethodsFish were sampled with gillnets in nycthemeral cycles throughout the dry and rainy season in two reservoirs (Paulo Sarasate/PS and Edson Queiroz/EQ). The stomach contents of the predator species were surveyed. The limnological variables were submitted to principal components analysis, while their relation to fish abundance was determined by canonical correspondence analysis. Temporal patterns in relative fish species abundance were detected with nMDS.ResultsTemperature and dissolved oxygen levels segregated the reservoirs physico-chemically. Turbidity and chlorophyll-a levels differed between seasons, and the relative abundance of species differed between the reservoirs. Predators were more abundant in PS, while detritivores were more abundant in EQ. Triportheus signatusand Plagioscion squamosissimus were the most abundant species in both reservoirs. In general, predator abundance was positively associated with high temperature and dissolved oxygen (PS>EQ) and negatively associated with turbidity. The activity patterns of P. squamosissimus could not be explained by fluctuations in environmental variables. Non-predators tended to cluster around the vectors chlorophyll-a, pH and turbidity. Predators had a more diversified diet in PS in accordance with food availability, while predators in EQ ate only fish and shrimp. Nycthemeral patterns varied for the same species depending on the reservoir. Generally, in PS predators were more active during daylight hours while non-predators were more active after dark. However, in EQ predators and non-predators displayed similar nycthemeral activity patterns. Regardless of the reservoir, predators were more abundant in the rainy season. No seasonal trend was observed for non-predators.ConclusionsLimnological differences between PS and EQ influenced temporal species abundance patterns. The species distribution was determined by predation conditions and physiological attributes.


Nova Scientia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Vázquez-Marroquín ◽  
Mónica Duarte-Andrade ◽  
Luis Miguel Hernández-Triana ◽  
Aldo Iván Ortega-Morales ◽  
Rahuel Jeremías Chan-Chable

Introduction: Many mosquitoes are of great medical and veterinary importance because they transmit numerous pathogens which cause diseases in animals and humans; thus, knowing their taxonomy and distribution is pivotal for implementing the correct control strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of mosquito species and their distribution in La Comarca Lagunera in the state of Durango, Mexico.Method: Adult mosquitoes were collected at different resting sites in four municipalities between August and November 2018 using Insectzookas. Aquatic habitats were also sampled for immature stages. Adult specimens were killed using lethal chambers with triethylamine vapors; while larvae and pupae were stored in individual tubes to obtain the adult stages and associated exuviae. All material was transported to the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Parasitology Department of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Unidad Laguna (UAAAN-UL) for mounting and taxonomical identification. Species were identified using taxonomic keys for the region.Results: In total, 689 mosquito specimens (286 males and 403 females) were collected belonging to 15 species, among them Anopheles franciscanus McCracken, Culex erythrothorax Dyar, and Toxorhynchites moctezuma (Dyar and Knab) are new records for Durango State. The most abundant species was Cx. quinquefasciatus Say with 364 (56.2%) specimens, followed by Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (21.3%) and Ae. vexans (Meigen) (7.7%).Conclusion: 13 out of 15 species collected are associated with the transmission of an arbovirus of relevant medical or veterinary importance in Mexico. There are now 38 species recorded for Durango. The information in this study is directly relevant for the Health Ministry in Durango State for the control of vector borne diseases in the region.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.H. Toorani ◽  
H. Abbasipour ◽  
L. Dehghan-Dehnavi

Summary The white peach scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona Targioni-Tozzetti (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is one of the most important and destructive polyphagous pests of the Rosaceae family trees. Population fluctuations and biodiversity of the hymenopteran parasitoid species associated with the pest were studied in six kiwi orchards in Iran, during one-year period. Parasitoid species abundance, species diversity indices and evenness indices were calculated. Most of the parasitoid species were dominant or eudominant. Based on the alpha diversity indices, the Najarkola region had high diversity and the Kharatkola region had low diversity. The Paeendasteh region (based on Simpson’s Diversity on Camargo evenness indices) and the Samnakola region (based on the modified Nee, and on Smith and Wilson evenness indices) were less uniform. Among the recorded parasitoids, Encarsia berlesei Howard (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), followed by Aphytis proclia Walker (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), had the highest population in all orchards.


Author(s):  
Zeynab HEDAYATI ◽  
Ahmad DARYANI ◽  
Shahabeddin SARVI ◽  
Shirzad GHOLAMI ◽  
Mehdi SHARIF ◽  
...  

Background: The larval stage of the tapeworm (cestode) Echinococcus granulosus is the etiological agent of hydatidosis or cystic echinococcosis, which is the zoonotic parasitic disease causing morbidity and mortality in both humans and livestock. Due to a lack of accurate data on the human isolates of E. granulosus in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, the current study aimed to survey the population genetic pattern of cystic echinococcosis isolated from humans by sequencing the mitochondrial genes of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1). Methods: Overall, 47 formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPT) blocks were collected from patients' files in various pathology departments of Mazandaran Province in Iran from 2003 to 2015. PCR was performed to amplify a 398bp DNA fragment of mitochondrial nad1. PCR products were sequenced by Bioneer Corporation (South Korea), and the resulting data were analyzed via relevant software to determine the genotypes. Results: The nad1 gene was successfully amplified on 10 from all of the E. granulosus isolates. Overall, 66.6% and 33.3% of the isolates in the studied area displayed the G1 and G2-G3 genotypes, respectively. Conclusion: This study may provide the foundation for further studies in revealing the regional transmission patterns and also in designing adequate control procedures.


Author(s):  
Gabriel Parra-Henao ◽  
Erick Perdomo ◽  
Deibys Carrasquilla ◽  
Emy Torres ◽  
Celenny Perez ◽  
...  

AbstractStudies directed to investigate ecological parameters of mosquitoes populations allows to establish the risk of vector borne diseases transmission and to bring recommendations for health authorities about prevention, surveillance and control. We report some ecological aspects of mosquitoes populations in a region of Colombia. Quarterly sampling was done. For mosquito catching CDC and Shannon traps were used. Diversity and abundance indexes estimation was done. A total of 1071 mosquitoes belonging to four genera and 10 species were collected. The most abundant species were Cx quinquefasciatus (22.6%), Ae. aegypti (20.08%), Ae. scapularis (12.3%), Ae. angustivittatus (9%) and An. albimanus (8.0%). The finding of Cx pedroi, Ae. scapularis,, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. declarator, Ma. titillans, and Ps. ferox previously reported as arbovirus vectors warns about the possibility of transmission in the zone and the finding of An. albimanus, also warns about the risk for malaria transmission in the area.


Author(s):  
Abolghasem SIYADATPANAH ◽  
Shirzad GHOLAMI ◽  
Ahmad DARYANI ◽  
Shahabeddin SARVI ◽  
Mehdi SHARIF ◽  
...  

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current knowledge on the epidemiology of importance zoonotic parasitic diseases in free-ranging canids of Mazandaran, north of Iran. Methods: Overall, 63 small intestinal samples of animals (20 stray dogs and 43 golden jackals) were collected from April 2017 to May 2018. The intestine contents were studied to detect and identify helminth infections. Additionally, 274 fecal samples (130 dogs, 35 fox, 90 golden jackal and 19 wolf) were examined by Sheather's flotation method for detection of Taenia eggs. Results: Sixty (95.2%) animals were infected with at least one species of intestinal helminth. the intestinal helminths were found in dogs and golden jackals included: Dipylidium caninum (25.3%), Uncinaria stenocephala (52.3%), Ancylostoma caninum (41.2%), Mesocestoides spp. (33.3%) and Toxocara canis (14.2%). In fecal examination, 2.5% of samples contained Taenia eggs, and through a species-specific PCR, 1.09% of these samples were confirmed positive for Echinococcus granulosus. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence and clear risks of zoonotic helminths in free-ranging carnivores in Mazandaran province, north of Iran. Therefore, understanding the epidemiology of zoonotic parasite infection is useful for health care access both domestic animals and humans health.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. e035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Abbasian ◽  
Pedram Attarod ◽  
Seyed M.M. Sadeghi ◽  
John T. Van Stan II ◽  
Seyed M. Hojjati

<p><em>Aim of study: </em>The objective of this study was to compare<em> </em>the quantity and quality of <em>TF</em> (throughfall) in an indigenous, but degraded, stand of <em>Fagus orientalis </em>and <em>Picea abies</em> plantation.</p><p><em>Area of study</em>: Forests of Kelar-Dasht region located in Mazandaran province, northern Iran.</p><p><em>Material and Methods:</em><em> </em><em>TF</em> measured by twenty collectors that were distributed randomly underneath each stand<em>. </em>For 21 storms sampled in 2012 (August-December) and 2013 (April-June), we analyzed pH, EC, Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>, and P of  gross rainfall (<em>GR</em>) and <em>TF</em>.</p><p><em>Main results:</em> Cumulative interception (<em>I</em>) for <em>F. orientalis</em> and <em>P. abies</em> were 114.2 mm and 194.8 mm of the total <em>GR</em>, respectively. The amount of K<sup>+</sup> (13.4 mg L<sup>-1</sup>) and Ca<sup>2+ </sup>(0.9 mg L<sup>-1</sup>) were higher (for both elements, <em>p </em>= 0.001) in the <em>TF</em> of <em>P. abies</em> compared to those of<em> F. orientalis</em> (6.8 and 0.5, mg L<sup>-1</sup>, respectively) and <em>GR</em> (3.2 and 0.37 mg L<sup>-1</sup>, respectively). Conversely, mean P concentration was doubled (<em>p</em> = 0.022) in the <em>TF</em> of <em>F. orientalis</em> (11.1 mg L<sup>-1</sup>) compared to <em>GR</em> (5.8 mg L<sup>-1</sup>).</p><p><em>Research highlights: </em><em>P. abies</em> plantations may provide a solution for reforestation of degraded <em>F. orientalis </em>forests of northern Iran, yet how <em>P. abies</em> plantations differentially affect the quality and quantity of rainfall reaching subcanopy soils (<em>TF</em>) compared to <em>F. orientalis</em> is unknown. Understanding the connection between hydrological processes and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems is crucial for choosing the appropriate species to rehabilitate the degraded indigenous forests with nonindigenous species.<em> </em><em> </em><em></em></p><strong>Keywords:</strong> concentration; hydrological process; interception; reforestation.


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