The value of georeferenced collection records for predicting patterns of mosquito species richness and endemism in the Neotropics

Abstract

Abstract. 1. Detennining large-scale distribution patterns for mosquitoes could advance knowledge of global mosquito biogeography and inform decisions about where mosquito inventory needs are greatest.2. Over 43 000 georeferenced records are presented of identified and vouchered mosquitoes from collections undertaken between 1899 and 1982, from 1853 locations in 42 countries throughout the Neotropics. Of 492 species in the data set, 23% were only recorded from one location, and Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann is the most common species.3. A linear log-log species-area relationship was found for mosquito species number and country area. Chile had the lowest relative density of species and Trinidad-Tobago the highest, followed by Panama and French Guiana.4. The potential distribution of species was predicted using an Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM) approach. Anopheles species had the largest predicted species ranges, whereas species of Deinocerites and Wyeomyia had the smallest.5. Species richness was estimated for 1° grids and by summing predicted presence of species from ENM. These methods both showed areas of high species richness in French Guiana, Panama, Trinidad-Tobago, and Colombia. Potential hotspots in endemicity included unsampled areas in Panama, French Guiana, Colombia, Belize, Venezuela, and Brazil.6. Argentina, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Bolivia, Cuba, and Peru were the most underrepresented countries in the database compared with known country species occurrence data. Analysis of species accumulation curves suggested patchiness in the distribution of data points, which may affect estimates of species richness.7. The data set is a first step towards the development of a global-scale repository of georeferenced mosquito collection records.

Malaria vector species in Colombia: a review

“…Colombia has a high number mosquito species compared to neighbouring countries and is a potential hotspot for malaria endemicity (Foley et al 2008). According to González and Carrejo (2007), five subgenera of Anopheles , with between 40–47 species, are found in Colombia (Table I).…”

Mosquito species (Diptera, Culicidae) in three ecosystems from the Colombian Andes: identification through DNA barcoding and adult morphology

“…Moreover, environmental variability may favor the development and persistence of a great diversity of mosquito species (Foley et al 2007, Brochero and Quiñones 2008), as well as to favor both the immigration and biological invasion of non-endemic species including vector species (Barreto et al 1996, Molina et al 2000, Olano et al 2001). Furthermore, Colombia is located in a region shown to be a potential hotspot for malaria endemicity and other mosquito borne disease outbreaks (Foley et al 2008). In Colombia, malaria vector mosquitoes (genus Anopheles Meigen, 1818) have been extensively investigated, the morphological keys for their identification are up-to-date and available, and different genetic techniques have been developed to differentiate cryptic species complexes.…”

Importance of the “What,” “When,” and “Where” of Mosquito Collection Events

“…Mosquito geocoordinates should only be used with satellite data whose age and resolution matches the dates and spatial accuracy of collection data. Data users should also be aware of the potential biases within collection data (Foley et al 2008). Despite these caveats, mosquito collection data are a valuable resource that are often costly to obtain or may be from areas that are no longer easy to sample.…”