The spread ofAedes albopictusin the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe

Abstract

The mosquitoAedes albopictusis a vector species of Dengue, yellow fever, and Zika among other diseases. The species originated in Southeast Asia and has spread widely and rapidly in the last century. The species has been reported in localities from the Gulf of Guinea since the early 2000s, but systematic sampling has been scant. We sampledAe. albopictusbetween 2013 and 2023 across the altitudinal gradient in São Tomé and found that the species was present in all sampled years at altitudes up to 680 meters. We also find some evidence of increases in proportional representation compared toAe. aegyptiover time. We report the presence of the species in Príncipe for the first time, suggesting that the range ofAe. albopictusis larger than previously thought. Finally, we use bioclimatic niche modeling to infer the potential range ofAe. albopictusand infer that the species has the potential to spread across a large portion of São Tomé and Príncipe. Our results suggest thatAe. albopictushas established itself as a resident species of the islands of the Gulf of Guinea and should be incorporated into the list of potential vectors that need to be surveyed and controlled.