Diversity and spatiotemporal distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) with emphasis on disease vectors across agroecological areas of Kerala, India
Abstract Mosquitoes are important vectors of several diseases that significantly impact public health globally. This multi-district mosquito survey revealed the diversity and distribution of mosquito species across varied agroecological areas in Kerala, India. Immature and adult mosquito collections...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16357-y |
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| author | L. Mathiarasan R. Natarajan A. Aswin N. A. Johnson Amala Justin Nivetha Thampi Manisha Kumari G. Sri Lakshmi Priya P. D. Rohini S. Gopalakrishnan P. Jambulingam Alex Eapen |
| author_facet | L. Mathiarasan R. Natarajan A. Aswin N. A. Johnson Amala Justin Nivetha Thampi Manisha Kumari G. Sri Lakshmi Priya P. D. Rohini S. Gopalakrishnan P. Jambulingam Alex Eapen |
| author_sort | L. Mathiarasan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Mosquitoes are important vectors of several diseases that significantly impact public health globally. This multi-district mosquito survey revealed the diversity and distribution of mosquito species across varied agroecological areas in Kerala, India. Immature and adult mosquito collections were carried out using standard, appropriate sampling methods and the mosquitoes were identified using morphological characters. A total of 108 species belonging to 28 genera were identified from 12,535 specimens. Stegomyia albopicta was the predominant species (54.82%), followed by Culex quinquefasciatus (6.92%). Fourteen known disease vectors were taxonomically identified. Artificial (anthropogenic) habitats such as discarded plastic containers, tyres and latex collection cups contributed to the vector diversity compared to natural ones. Species richness and mosquito species diversity varied across districts, with Wayanad showing the highest diversity. Rarefaction analysis and species-area relationships revealed complex patterns of mosquito biodiversity in agroecological areas. Several rare species were recorded, including a newly described species, Heizmannia rajagopalani. This comprehensive surveillance provides valuable insights into the ecology of mosquitoes in various diverse ecological settings of Kerala, with significant implications for biodiversity conservation and efforts to control vectors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7d6f230fcd9a40cf8582855a3142af45 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-7d6f230fcd9a40cf8582855a3142af452025-08-24T11:31:11ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-16357-yDiversity and spatiotemporal distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) with emphasis on disease vectors across agroecological areas of Kerala, IndiaL. Mathiarasan0R. Natarajan1A. Aswin2N. A. Johnson Amala Justin3Nivetha Thampi4Manisha Kumari5G. Sri Lakshmi Priya6P. D. Rohini7S. Gopalakrishnan8P. Jambulingam9Alex Eapen10ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research-Field unitICMR-Vector Control Research CentreICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research-Field unitNational Centre for Vector Borne Disease ControlJohnson and Johnson Innovative MedicineDefence Institute of Physiology and Allied SciencesMadras Institute of Orthopaedics and TraumatologyBiostate.aiICMR-Vector Control Research CentreICMR-Vector Control Research CentreICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research-Field unitAbstract Mosquitoes are important vectors of several diseases that significantly impact public health globally. This multi-district mosquito survey revealed the diversity and distribution of mosquito species across varied agroecological areas in Kerala, India. Immature and adult mosquito collections were carried out using standard, appropriate sampling methods and the mosquitoes were identified using morphological characters. A total of 108 species belonging to 28 genera were identified from 12,535 specimens. Stegomyia albopicta was the predominant species (54.82%), followed by Culex quinquefasciatus (6.92%). Fourteen known disease vectors were taxonomically identified. Artificial (anthropogenic) habitats such as discarded plastic containers, tyres and latex collection cups contributed to the vector diversity compared to natural ones. Species richness and mosquito species diversity varied across districts, with Wayanad showing the highest diversity. Rarefaction analysis and species-area relationships revealed complex patterns of mosquito biodiversity in agroecological areas. Several rare species were recorded, including a newly described species, Heizmannia rajagopalani. This comprehensive surveillance provides valuable insights into the ecology of mosquitoes in various diverse ecological settings of Kerala, with significant implications for biodiversity conservation and efforts to control vectors.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16357-yMosquitoesVectorsSpecies richnessMosquito diversity and distribution |
| spellingShingle | L. Mathiarasan R. Natarajan A. Aswin N. A. Johnson Amala Justin Nivetha Thampi Manisha Kumari G. Sri Lakshmi Priya P. D. Rohini S. Gopalakrishnan P. Jambulingam Alex Eapen Diversity and spatiotemporal distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) with emphasis on disease vectors across agroecological areas of Kerala, India Scientific Reports Mosquitoes Vectors Species richness Mosquito diversity and distribution |
| title | Diversity and spatiotemporal distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) with emphasis on disease vectors across agroecological areas of Kerala, India |
| title_full | Diversity and spatiotemporal distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) with emphasis on disease vectors across agroecological areas of Kerala, India |
| title_fullStr | Diversity and spatiotemporal distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) with emphasis on disease vectors across agroecological areas of Kerala, India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diversity and spatiotemporal distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) with emphasis on disease vectors across agroecological areas of Kerala, India |
| title_short | Diversity and spatiotemporal distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) with emphasis on disease vectors across agroecological areas of Kerala, India |
| title_sort | diversity and spatiotemporal distribution of mosquitoes diptera culicidae with emphasis on disease vectors across agroecological areas of kerala india |
| topic | Mosquitoes Vectors Species richness Mosquito diversity and distribution |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16357-y |
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