Larval habitat characteristics and predicting the distribution of Culex tritaeniorhynchus using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model in Golestan Province, northern Iran

Background: Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) is one of the most medically important families of Diptera. The aims of this study were to determine fauna and larval habitat characteristics of mosquitoes in Golestan Province, during 2014–15. Methods: This study was conducted in larval habitats of mosquitoes and installed ovitraps in 14 districts of Golestan Province, Northern Iran in 2015. Samples were collected with a scoop by ladle handling for entomology. The collected larvae were transferred to Laboratory of Medical Entomology in lactophenol solution. Then microscopic slides were prepared using de Faure's formula. Species of each sample was recognized using diagnostic criteria to identify the Culicidae species. Characteristics of larval breeding places were studied based on the habitat type (Permanent or temporary), water conditions (Clear or turbid, stagnant or running), vegetation (out, in, underwater vegetation or without vegetation), sunlight exposure (Full or partial sunlight) and so on. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Overall, 5661 third- and fourth- instars larvae of mosquitoes were collected and 5 genera and 14 species were identified: Anopheles hyrcanus, An. maculipennis, An. pseudopictus, An. superpictus, Culex hortensis, Cx. mimiticus, Cx. perexiguus, Cx. pipiens, Cx. pusillus, Cx. theileri, Cx. tritaeniohynchus, Culiseta longiareolata, Ochlerotatus caspius, Uranotaenia unguiculata. Culex pipiens was recognized as predominant species of the family. Among the detected species, Cx. pusillus reported for the first time from Golestan Province. Conclusion: Due to the high species diversity of Culicidae, ecology of medical important species such as Cx. pipiens and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus needs more investigations.

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Species composition and abundance of mosquito larvae in relation with their habitat characteristics in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485317000074 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 107 (5) ◽

pp. 598-610 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S.H. Nikookar ◽

M. Fazeli-Dinan ◽

S. Azari-Hamidian ◽

S.N. Mousavinasab ◽

M. Arabi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Variables ◽

Larval Density ◽

Larval Habitat ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Mosquito Larvae ◽

Mazandaran Province ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Northern Iran ◽

Monthly Basis ◽

Larval Habitats

AbstractMosquitoes transmit a variety of diseases to humans. Their abundance and distribution are related to the characteristics of larval habitats. Mosquito larvae were collected from 120 natural and artificial habitats in 30 villages of 16 counties using standard 350 ml dippers and pipette, on a monthly basis from May–December 2014 in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Larval habitat characteristics were recorded separately, based on the conditions of the habitats (permanent or temporary, stagnant or running), type of habitats (natural or artificial), vegetation, exposure to sun, type of bed, water condition (clear or turbid), expanse (m), depth (cm, m) and temperature (°C) of habitats. The relationship between larval density and environmental variables was assessed by Chi-square tests. Totally, 19,840 larvae from three genera and 16 species were collected and identified.Anopheles maculipennis s.l.andCulex pipienswere the dominant species and collected with the highest density in plain areas. The highest number of larvae were collected from natural habitats (60.34%), including; river edge, marsh, pit and wetlands; with temporary and stagnant water, expanse of 0–5 m, depth of 1–25 cm, without plant, shadow-sun, muddy floor, turbid water, temperature 20–25°C and in sunny conditions. River edge and rice fields forAn. maculipennis s.land, wetlands and discarded tires forCx. pipienswere the main larval habitats in the province. Statistical analysis revealed significant relation between occurrence ofAn. maculipennis s.l., Cx. pipiens, Culex torrentium, Culex mimeticusandCs. annulatawith each of the environmental variables (P< 0.001). These findings are essential in expanding our knowledge of the vectors ecology specially the type of habitat preference and will be beneficial in larval control programs.

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A study on the Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) from the Golestan province, Northern Iran

Acta Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica ◽

10.1556/aphyt.49.2014.2.11 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 253-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

N. Samin ◽

H. Ghahari ◽

W.B. Jedryczkowski

Keyword(s):

Northern Iran ◽

Golestan Province

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The application of drones for mosquito larval habitat identification in rural environments: a practical approach for malaria control?

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-021-03759-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michelle C. Stanton ◽

Patrick Kalonde ◽

Kennedy Zembere ◽

Remy Hoek Spaans ◽

Christopher M. Jones

Keyword(s):

Image Analysis ◽

Malaria Control ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Aquatic Vegetation ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Scale Up ◽

Larval Habitat ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Rural Environments

Abstract Background Spatio-temporal trends in mosquito-borne diseases are driven by the locations and seasonality of larval habitat. One method of disease control is to decrease the mosquito population by modifying larval habitat, known as larval source management (LSM). In malaria control, LSM is currently considered impractical in rural areas due to perceived difficulties in identifying target areas. High resolution drone mapping is being considered as a practical solution to address this barrier. In this paper, the authors’ experiences of drone-led larval habitat identification in Malawi were used to assess the feasibility of this approach. Methods Drone mapping and larval surveys were conducted in Kasungu district, Malawi between 2018 and 2020. Water bodies and aquatic vegetation were identified in the imagery using manual methods and geographical object-based image analysis (GeoOBIA) and the performances of the classifications were compared. Further, observations were documented on the practical aspects of capturing drone imagery for informing malaria control including cost, time, computing, and skills requirements. Larval sampling sites were characterized by biotic factors visible in drone imagery and generalized linear mixed models were used to determine their association with larval presence. Results Imagery covering an area of 8.9 km2 across eight sites was captured. Larval habitat characteristics were successfully identified using GeoOBIA on images captured by a standard camera (median accuracy = 98%) with no notable improvement observed after incorporating data from a near-infrared sensor. This approach however required greater processing time and technical skills compared to manual identification. Larval samples captured from 326 sites confirmed that drone-captured characteristics, including aquatic vegetation presence and type, were significantly associated with larval presence. Conclusions This study demonstrates the potential for drone-acquired imagery to support mosquito larval habitat identification in rural, malaria-endemic areas, although technical challenges were identified which may hinder the scale up of this approach. Potential solutions have however been identified, including strengthening linkages with the flourishing drone industry in countries such as Malawi. Further consultations are therefore needed between experts in the fields of drones, image analysis and vector control are needed to develop more detailed guidance on how this technology can be most effectively exploited in malaria control.

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Evaluation of factors affecting gully headcut location using summary statistics and the maximum entropy model: Golestan Province, NE Iran

The Science of The Total Environment ◽

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.306 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 677 ◽

pp. 281-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Narges Kariminejad ◽

Mohsen Hosseinalizadeh ◽

Hamid Reza Pourghasemi ◽

Anita Bernatek-Jakiel ◽

Giandiego Campetella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Maximum Entropy ◽

Summary Statistics ◽

Maximum Entropy Model ◽

Entropy Model ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Golestan Province ◽

Ne Iran

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LARVAL HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS OF COQUILLETTIDIA PERTURBANS (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) IN MINNESOTA

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent1181193-11 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 118 (11) ◽

pp. 1193-1198 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Darold P. Batzer ◽

Robert D. Sjogren

Keyword(s):

Dissolved Oxygen ◽

Water Column ◽

Plant Species ◽

Aquatic Vegetation ◽

Larval Habitat ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Organic Debris ◽

Coquillettidia Perturbans ◽

Hennepin County

AbstractLarvae of Coquillettidia pertubans (Walker) are found in some marshes of permanent water with stands of aquatic vegetation. Eighty-six marshes, located within a 400-km2 area of Hennepin County, Minnesota, were examined in the fall of 1984 to determine factors that characterize C. perturbans breeding sites. We found that C. perturbans larvae attached to the roots of primarily Typha species although other plant species were also used. The water in sites with larvae was significantly deeper, lower in dissolved oxygen, and contained a significantly thicker layer of organic debris than sites without larvae. Larvae were associated with sites where Typha had specialized structures called water roots, which grow in the water column. Larvae inhabiting floating mats of vegetation were associated with interior openings within the mats.

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Larval habitat characteristics of the main malaria vectors in the most endemic regions of Colombia: potential implications for larval control

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-015-1002-y ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Marcela Conde ◽

Paula X. Pareja ◽

Lorena I. Orjuela ◽

Martha L. Ahumada ◽

Sebastian Durán ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Larval Habitat ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Malaria Vectors ◽

Larval Control

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The Query of Suitable Areas for plantation and development of Taxus baccata L Species by Using GIS in Northern Iran

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências ◽

10.1590/0001-3765201420130107 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 1497-1505

Author(s):

ANOSHIRVAN ALAMI ◽

ALIREZA ESLAMI ◽

SEYED A. HASHEMI

Keyword(s):

Analytical Hierarchy Process ◽

Native Species ◽

Taxus Baccata ◽

Northern Iran ◽

Ecological Characteristics ◽

Multi Criteria Evaluation ◽

Golestan Province ◽

Ecological Parameters ◽

Northern Forests ◽

Hierarchy Process

Taxus baccata is a native species to the Caspian forests and is considered as the identification of these forests by some resources. The aim of this study was to understand the ecological characteristics of T. baccata in order to find suitable areas for its plantation in the Pone Aram preserve of Golestan province. Therefore, Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) methods based on Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) were used. In this process at first the needed and effective natural indexes were used as 10 parameters. Then the final map of suitable areas for T. baccata plantation were produced based on Bolian and MCE models. According to the results, in Bolian method about 6218 ha of the total area of the study site (30554 ha) were estimated as suitable and semi suitable and 24336 ha were estimated as unsuitable for MCE model showed that about 2482 ha of the whole 30554 ha area of the study site is adequate for T. baccata plantation and 6181 ha is not adequate for T. baccata plantation. Regarding the results of the MCE and Bolian methods it has been concluded that for dynamic ecological parameters in delineation of suitable areas for T. baccata plantation the MCE weighting is more appropriate than Bolian. Using the results of this investigation it is possible to adequate areas for the presence of T. baccata and to execute a plan in order to facilitate the plantation of T. baccata in northern forests of Iran (watershed 88).

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Two new species of the genus Elattoma (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Pygmephoridae) phoretic on Morimus verecundus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Iran

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2903.1.5 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2903 (1) ◽

pp. 48 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

VAHID RAHIMINEJAD ◽

HAMIDREZA HAJIQANBAR ◽

YAGHOUB FATHIPOUR

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Ventral Surface ◽

Oak Forests ◽

Northern Iran ◽

World Species ◽

The Family ◽

Two New Species ◽

Arthropod Fauna ◽

Golestan Province

Two new species of the genus Elattoma Mahunka, 1969 (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Pygmephoridae) associated with Morimus verecundus (Faldermann 1836) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are described and illustrated from Oak forests in Golestan province, Northern Iran: Elattoma cerambycidum Rahiminejad & Hajiqanbar sp. nov. and E. abeskoun Rahiminejad & Hajiqanbar sp. nov. Both formed large colonies attached on the ventral surface, around coxae I–III of different individuals of the host beetles. This is the first phoretic record of the genus Elattoma for beetles of the family Cerambycidae. Furthermore, our record of Elattoma is new for the arthropod fauna of Iran. A key to world species of the genus Elattoma is also provided.

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