Why are anopheline mosquitoes not present in the Seychelles?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Species of anopheline mosquitoes are largely distributed over emerged lands around the world and, within the tropics, few areas are without these insects, which are vectors of malaria parasites. Among the exceptions is the Seychelles...

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Main Authors: Goodman Steven M, Julienne Simon, Rocamora Gérard, Robert Vincent
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-02-01
Series:Malaria Journal
Online Access:http://www.malariajournal.com/content/10/1/31
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author Goodman Steven M
Julienne Simon
Rocamora Gérard
Robert Vincent
author_facet Goodman Steven M
Julienne Simon
Rocamora Gérard
Robert Vincent
author_sort Goodman Steven M
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Species of anopheline mosquitoes are largely distributed over emerged lands around the world and, within the tropics, few areas are without these insects, which are vectors of malaria parasites. Among the exceptions is the Seychelles archipelago in the western Indian Ocean. However, in the Aldabra island group, located in the extreme western portion of the archipelago, <it>Anopheles gambiae s.l. </it>was introduced, leading to massive proliferation and then elimination, with the most recent autochthonous malaria cases recorded in 1931.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In order to re-examine the absence of anopheline mosquitoes in the Seychelles, an entomological field survey was conducted in December 2008 at 17 sites on four granitic islands, including Mahé and Praslin, and ten sites on coralline atolls in the extreme west, including Aldabra.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No evidence of larval or adult anophelines was found at the surveyed sites, which supports their absence in the Seychelles.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In the granitic islands of the Seychelles, the climate is favourable for anophelines. However, these islands are protected by their remoteness and prevailing seasonal winds. In addition, stagnant freshwater, required in anopheline larval development, is relatively uncommon on the granitic islands because of the steep slopes. In the southwestern atolls (Aldabra and Providence-Farquhar groups), the presence of a long dry season of up to nine months and the total absence of permanent natural freshwater prevents the breeding of anophelines and their successful colonization. The Seychelles does not have any native land mammals and like in other parts of the world (Antarctica, Iceland, New Caledonia, Central Pacific islands) their absence is associated with the lack of anophelines. This suggests an obligatory relationship for anophelines to feed on terrestrial mammals, without alternative for blood-feeding sources, such as bats, birds and reptiles.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-285896a52c0e413eb636a0b366fcbda42022-12-21T21:04:44ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752011-02-011013110.1186/1475-2875-10-31Why are anopheline mosquitoes not present in the Seychelles?Goodman Steven MJulienne SimonRocamora GérardRobert Vincent<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Species of anopheline mosquitoes are largely distributed over emerged lands around the world and, within the tropics, few areas are without these insects, which are vectors of malaria parasites. Among the exceptions is the Seychelles archipelago in the western Indian Ocean. However, in the Aldabra island group, located in the extreme western portion of the archipelago, <it>Anopheles gambiae s.l. </it>was introduced, leading to massive proliferation and then elimination, with the most recent autochthonous malaria cases recorded in 1931.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In order to re-examine the absence of anopheline mosquitoes in the Seychelles, an entomological field survey was conducted in December 2008 at 17 sites on four granitic islands, including Mahé and Praslin, and ten sites on coralline atolls in the extreme west, including Aldabra.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No evidence of larval or adult anophelines was found at the surveyed sites, which supports their absence in the Seychelles.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In the granitic islands of the Seychelles, the climate is favourable for anophelines. However, these islands are protected by their remoteness and prevailing seasonal winds. In addition, stagnant freshwater, required in anopheline larval development, is relatively uncommon on the granitic islands because of the steep slopes. In the southwestern atolls (Aldabra and Providence-Farquhar groups), the presence of a long dry season of up to nine months and the total absence of permanent natural freshwater prevents the breeding of anophelines and their successful colonization. The Seychelles does not have any native land mammals and like in other parts of the world (Antarctica, Iceland, New Caledonia, Central Pacific islands) their absence is associated with the lack of anophelines. This suggests an obligatory relationship for anophelines to feed on terrestrial mammals, without alternative for blood-feeding sources, such as bats, birds and reptiles.</p>http://www.malariajournal.com/content/10/1/31
spellingShingle Goodman Steven M
Julienne Simon
Rocamora Gérard
Robert Vincent
Why are anopheline mosquitoes not present in the Seychelles?
Malaria Journal
title Why are anopheline mosquitoes not present in the Seychelles?
title_full Why are anopheline mosquitoes not present in the Seychelles?
title_fullStr Why are anopheline mosquitoes not present in the Seychelles?
title_full_unstemmed Why are anopheline mosquitoes not present in the Seychelles?
title_short Why are anopheline mosquitoes not present in the Seychelles?
title_sort why are anopheline mosquitoes not present in the seychelles
url http://www.malariajournal.com/content/10/1/31
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