Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Fauna of a Zoological Park in an Urban Setting: Analysis of <i>Culex pipiens s.l.</i> and Their Biotypes
Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) are important emerging diseases that affect humans and animals. Zoological parks can work as early warning systems for the occurrence of MBDs. In this study, we characterized the mosquito fauna captured inside Lisbon Zoo from May 2018 to November 2019. An average of 2....
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/1/45 |
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| author | Sara Madeira Rui Bernardino Hugo Costa Osório Fernando Boinas |
| author_facet | Sara Madeira Rui Bernardino Hugo Costa Osório Fernando Boinas |
| author_sort | Sara Madeira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) are important emerging diseases that affect humans and animals. Zoological parks can work as early warning systems for the occurrence of MBDs. In this study, we characterized the mosquito fauna captured inside Lisbon Zoo from May 2018 to November 2019. An average of 2.4 mosquitos per trap/night were captured. Five mosquito species potentially causing MBDs, including <i>Culex pipiens</i> biotypes, were found in the zoo. The sympatric occurrence of <i>Culex pipiens</i> biotypes represents a risk factor for the epizootic transmission of West Nile virus and Usutu virus. The mosquito occurrence followed the expected seasonality, with the maximum densities during summer months. However, mosquito activity was detected in winter months in low numbers. The minimum temperature and the relative humidity (RH) on the day of capture showed a positive effect on <i>Culex pipiens</i> abundance. Contrary, the RH the week before capture and the average precipitation the week of capture had a negative effect. No invasive species were identified, nor have flaviviruses been detected in the mosquitoes. The implementation of biosecurity measures regarding the hygiene of the premises and the strict control of all the animals entering the zoo can justify the low prevalence of mosquitoes and the absence of flavivirus-infected mosquitoes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:46:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e0057cde04ab4d8280668ec20443db33 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:46:41Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-e0057cde04ab4d8280668ec20443db332024-01-26T17:04:14ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502024-01-011514510.3390/insects15010045Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Fauna of a Zoological Park in an Urban Setting: Analysis of <i>Culex pipiens s.l.</i> and Their BiotypesSara Madeira0Rui Bernardino1Hugo Costa Osório2Fernando Boinas3CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, PortugalLisbon Zoo, 1549-004 Lisboa, PortugalCEVDI—INSA—Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 2965-575 Águas de Moura, PortugalCIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, PortugalMosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) are important emerging diseases that affect humans and animals. Zoological parks can work as early warning systems for the occurrence of MBDs. In this study, we characterized the mosquito fauna captured inside Lisbon Zoo from May 2018 to November 2019. An average of 2.4 mosquitos per trap/night were captured. Five mosquito species potentially causing MBDs, including <i>Culex pipiens</i> biotypes, were found in the zoo. The sympatric occurrence of <i>Culex pipiens</i> biotypes represents a risk factor for the epizootic transmission of West Nile virus and Usutu virus. The mosquito occurrence followed the expected seasonality, with the maximum densities during summer months. However, mosquito activity was detected in winter months in low numbers. The minimum temperature and the relative humidity (RH) on the day of capture showed a positive effect on <i>Culex pipiens</i> abundance. Contrary, the RH the week before capture and the average precipitation the week of capture had a negative effect. No invasive species were identified, nor have flaviviruses been detected in the mosquitoes. The implementation of biosecurity measures regarding the hygiene of the premises and the strict control of all the animals entering the zoo can justify the low prevalence of mosquitoes and the absence of flavivirus-infected mosquitoes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/1/45<i>Culex pipiens</i> complex<i>Culex pipiens</i> biotypeflavivirusmosquito surveymosquito-borne diseasesmosquito density |
| spellingShingle | Sara Madeira Rui Bernardino Hugo Costa Osório Fernando Boinas Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Fauna of a Zoological Park in an Urban Setting: Analysis of <i>Culex pipiens s.l.</i> and Their Biotypes Insects <i>Culex pipiens</i> complex <i>Culex pipiens</i> biotype flavivirus mosquito survey mosquito-borne diseases mosquito density |
| title | Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Fauna of a Zoological Park in an Urban Setting: Analysis of <i>Culex pipiens s.l.</i> and Their Biotypes |
| title_full | Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Fauna of a Zoological Park in an Urban Setting: Analysis of <i>Culex pipiens s.l.</i> and Their Biotypes |
| title_fullStr | Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Fauna of a Zoological Park in an Urban Setting: Analysis of <i>Culex pipiens s.l.</i> and Their Biotypes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Fauna of a Zoological Park in an Urban Setting: Analysis of <i>Culex pipiens s.l.</i> and Their Biotypes |
| title_short | Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Fauna of a Zoological Park in an Urban Setting: Analysis of <i>Culex pipiens s.l.</i> and Their Biotypes |
| title_sort | mosquito diptera culicidae fauna of a zoological park in an urban setting analysis of i culex pipiens s l i and their biotypes |
| topic | <i>Culex pipiens</i> complex <i>Culex pipiens</i> biotype flavivirus mosquito survey mosquito-borne diseases mosquito density |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/1/45 |
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