Distribution and larval habitats of Anophelinae (Diptera, Culicidae) in aquatic systems of the Valencian Autonomous Region (Spain)

Abstract

The current and increasing problem of imported cases of diseases transmitted by dipterans of the Culicidae family in Europe, together with the increasingly recurrent appearance of autochthonous cases of arboviruses in temperate latitudes and the history of areas previously endemic for them, have made their research recover with great intensity. The present study has focused on Anopheline mosquitoes from Eastern Spain, particularly from the Valencian Autonomous Region which is a formerly endemic area of ​​malaria. The geographical distribution of the seven identified species of mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles and subgenus Anopheles, as well as their ranges of tolerance to abiotic factors such as water temperature, salinity, pH and the altitude of the aquatic habitats occupied by their preimaginal stages are presented: Anopheles algeriensis Theobald, 1903; Anopheles atroparvus Van Thiel, 1927; Anopheles claviger (Meigen, 1804); Anopheles maculipennis s.s. Meigen, 1818; Anopheles marteri Senevet & Prunnelle, 1927; Anopheles petragnani Del Vecchio 1939 and Anopheles plumbeus Stephens, 1828. In this way, the knowledge on these species that are considered potential vectors of malaria and other pathogens that cause disease at a local level in the studied area is updated. Therefore, new insights of great repercussion to the sectors of public health, epidemiology, entomology, ecology and pest control are provided, which should be taken into consideration in surveillance and control programmes.