Spatio‐temporal variation of biting flies, Stomoxys spp. (Diptera: Muscidae), along a man‐made disturbance gradient, from primary forest to the city of Makokou (North‐East, Gabon)

Abstract

Understanding the pattern of abundance of vector populations is important to control the potential of transmission of associated pathogens. The pattern of abundance of Stomoxys Geoffroy, an ubiquitous blood-sucking fly, is poorly known in tropical Africa. In this study, we investigated the spatio-temporal pattern of abundance of the Stomoxys genus along a gradient of man-made disturbance in north-eastern Gabon. Three sites (one in primary forest, one in secondary forest and one in a man-made environment) were monitored during 13 months using Vavoua traps. Seven species and subspecies were found to live in sympatry, but with distinct patterns of abundance with respect to space and time. The most abundant species was Stomoxys transvittatus Villeneuve, whereas the rarest species was S. xanthomelas Roubaud. Stomoxys calcitrans Linné was preferentially found in man-made environments, whereas S. xanthomelas was preferentially found in primary forest. Stomoxys abundance was the greatest in secondary forest, then in man-made environments and finally in primary forest. A seasonal variation in Stomoxys abundance was also found. In conclusion, forest degradation and deforestation are likely both to favour the concentration of populations of Stomoxys, and to change the specific composition of the Stomoxys community.

Abundance and Diurnal Activity Rhythm of Stomoxys spp. in a Wildlife-human Interface in Makokou (North East-Gabon)

“…was unimodal in the Village-Town and the forest of the INP. This result is like that of Mavoungou et al [26] and Phasuk et al [27]. These observations could be related to environmental conditions (humidity, host temperatures, etc.).…”

Rythme d’activité journalière de <i>Glossina fuscipes fuscipes</i>, vecteur majeur de la trypanosomiase humaine africaine dans le parc national de Moukalaba Doudou (Sud-Ouest Gabon)

“…Ces résultats corroborent les travaux menés par plusieurs auteurs qui ont montrés l'effet de la luminosité (des heures chaudes) sur l'abondance des captures (Salou et al, 2012, Mavoungou et al, 2013b, Zinga et al, 2014 Salou et al (2012).…”

Global Diversity, Distribution, and Genetic Studies of Stable Flies (Stomoxys sp.)

“…Zumpt (1973) [1] studied specimens from Mali, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. This species has also been captured in Gabon [20,21,23].…”

“…Zumpt (1973) [1] reported that he examined specimens from the following countries: Liberia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Uganda, Malawi, and South Africa. This species has been captured in abundance in Gabon in a forested area, far from any livestock [23].…”

“…It is also known from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Congo. S. transvittatus was the most abundant species captured in a forested area in Gabon [23]. No information is available on its biology.…”