Global potential distribution of three underappreciated arboviruses vectors ( Aedes japonicus , Aedes vexans and Aedes vittatus ) under current and future climate conditions

Abstract

Arboviruses (arthropod‐borne viruses) are expanding their geographic range, posing significant health threats to millions of people worldwide. This expansion is associated with efficient and suitable vector availability. Apart from the well‐known Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, other Aedes species may potentially promote the geographic spread of arboviruses because these viruses have similar vector requirements. Aedes japonicus, Ae. vexans and Ae. vittatus are a growing concern, given their potential and known vector competence for several arboviruses including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. In the present study, we developed detailed maps of their global potential distributions under both current and future (2050) climate conditions, using an ecological niche modeling approach (Maxent). Under present‐day conditions, Ae. japonicus and Ae. vexans have suitable areas in the northeastern United States, across Europe and in southeastern China, whereas the tropical regions of South America, Africa and Asia are more suitable for Ae. vittatus. Future scenarios anticipated range changes for the three species, with each expected to expand into new areas that are currently not suitable. By 2050, Ae. japonicus will have a broader potential distribution across much of Europe, the United States, western Russia and central Asia. Aedes vexans may be able to expand its range, especially in Libya, Egypt and southern Australia. For Ae. vittatus, future projections indicated areas at risk in sub‐Saharan Africa and the Middle East. As such, these species deserve as much attention as Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus when processing arboviruses risk assessments and our findings may help to better understand the potential distribution of each species.

Common patterns between dengue cases, climate, and local environmental variables in Costa Rica: A Wavelet Approach

“…The transmission to humans occurs by the bite of an infected female mosquito. The Aedes aegypti is the primary vector, more common in rural areas, and Aedes albopictus is a secondary vector, considered one of the 100 worst invasive species in the world [1], currently present on all continents except Antarctica [2,3]. Dengue is a flu-like illness that affects individuals of all ages, causing significant health, economic, and social burdens on a population [4].…”

Bayesian spatio-temporal model with INLA for dengue fever risk prediction in Costa Rica

“…The interaction of a variety of factors, including globalization, trade, travel, demographic trends, and warming temperatures, have been associated with the spread of the mosquito, which is now present on all continents except Antarctica [2,3], making it one of the 100 worst invasive species in the world [4]. It has also led to the emergence of the disease in places where it was previously absent [5,6,7,8,9], putting more than half of the world's population at risk of infection, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions [1].…”

Mapping the global distribution of invasive pest Drosophila suzukii and parasitoid Leptopilina japonica: implications for biological control

“…Ecological niche modeling (ENM) has been used extensively to identify potential distributions of species for a variety of purposes ( Raxworthy et al, 2007 ; Escobar, 2020 ; Kolanowska & Jakubska-Busse, 2020 ; Wan et al, 2020 ; Valencia-Rodríguez et al, 2021 ; Agboka et al, 2022 ; Demján et al, 2022 ; Outammassine, Zouhair & Loqman, 2022 ). In pest-parasitoid systems, identifying and comparing relative habitat suitability of pest and parasitoid can help to guide effective biological control programs ( Pérez-de la O et al, 2020 ; Tepa-Yotto et al, 2021a ; Tepa-Yotto et al, 2021b ).…”