Landscape Heterogeneity Predicts Mosquito Vector Diversity in a Semi-arid Urbanization.

Area of Science:

• Urban ecology
• Medical entomology
• Environmental science

Background:

• Urbanized areas present unique ecological challenges, increasing zoonotic disease risk due to host-vector proximity and human density.
• Arid urban environments are particularly concerning for mosquito breeding due to water accumulation in containers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between vector mosquito community structure and social, microclimatic, and landscape heterogeneity variables in a semi-arid Mexican city.
• To identify key drivers influencing mosquito abundance and species richness for effective disease control.

Main Methods:

• Conducted mosquito sampling in 21 units varying in marginalization and urbanization in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
• Collected adult mosquitoes using CDC traps during dry (June) and wet (August) seasons in 2024.
• Analyzed mosquito community structure in relation to social variables, temperature, relative humidity, and landscape heterogeneity.

Main Results:

• Identified 15 vector mosquito species, with Culex tarsalis (30%) and Culex quinquefasciatus (28%) being dominant.
• Landscape heterogeneity was the primary factor explaining mosquito abundance and richness.
• Aedes aegypti distribution was influenced by a mix of urban and natural land-use patterns.
• Contrary to expectations, temperature and humidity did not significantly explain changes in mosquito diversity; marginalization levels were key predictors.

Conclusions:

• Landscape heterogeneity and socio-economic factors (marginalization) are critical determinants of urban vector mosquito communities in semi-arid regions.
• Findings highlight the need to integrate landscape and social data for effective urban vector control strategies.
• Identified priority areas for arboviral disease prevention based on ecological and social drivers of mosquito distribution.