Mosquito community structure in contrasting anthropized landscapes in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

• Published in: International journal of tropical insect science 2023-02, Vol.43 (1), p.21-31
• Main Authors: Oppong, Jennifer, Avicor, Silas Wintuma, Baidoo, Philip Kweku, Addo-Fordjour, Patrick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthropogenic factors; Aquatic insects; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Breeding sites; Community structure; Copper; Dissolved solids; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Entomology; Environmental factors; Geographical distribution; Heavy metal content; Heavy metals; Industrial areas; Land use; Larvae; Life Sciences; Mansonia; Metal concentrations; Mosquitoes; Multivariate analysis; Original Research Article; Parameters; Redundancy; Residential areas; Species composition; Total dissolved solids; Turbidity; Variance analysis; Water analysis; Water sampling
• ISSN: 1742-7592; 1742-7584; 1742-7592
• DOI: 10.1007/s42690-022-00879-3

Mosquito community dynamics is affected by several factors including land use types, physico-chemical parameters and heavy metal content of breeding sites. Although critical for effective vector control and disease prevention, information about the effect of anthropized landscapes and concomitant environmental parameters on mosquito community structure is limited. This study assessed the mosquito community structure in two anthropogenically-modified landscapes (auto-mechanic industrial and residential) in Ghana and the factors influencing them. Mosquito larvae sampled from the study area were enumerated and reared to the adult stage. Physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metal concentrations of water samples from the breeding sites were also determined. Nonmetric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) ordinations, permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) were conducted to determine the pattern and variability of species composition and environmental factors that influence mosquito species distribution. Six mosquito species ( Anopheles gambiae sensu lato, Anopheles funestus , Aedes aegypti , Culex quinquefasciatus , Culex decens and Mansonia sp.) were sampled from the residential area, while the same species except An. funestus and Mansonia sp. were found in the industrial area. The industrial area supported significantly higher mosquito numbers. Salinity, pH, Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb, electrical conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, turbidity, and temperature of the breeding water related positively with Cx. quinquefaciatus , Cx decens and Mansonia sp. and negatively with Ae. aegypti , An. funestus and An. gambiae s. l. The study revealed the importance of landscape modification and environmental factors on mosquito community structure and the need to employ strategies aimed at eliminating man-made mosquito breeding sites.