Change in the faunal composition of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) along a heterogeneous landscape gradient in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different anthropic landscape profiles on the diversity and distribution of mosquito species in a rural settlement of the Brazilian Amazon. Eight field collections were conducted at 18 sampling points interspersed throughout 2020–2021. Plastic containers, bamboo internodes, and tires were used as traps to capture immature mosquitoes in three distinct habitats: forest, forest edge, and peridomicile. A total of 15,547 individuals, distributed in 26 species of culicids, were collected. The most abundant species were Culex urichii (8,376 specimens), Culex (Melanoconion) (2,473 specimens), and Aedes albopictus (1,252 specimens). Forest habitat showed the highest abundance, and forest edge showed the highest species richness. Different types of environments influenced both the abundance and richness of mosquitoes. The species composition was also significantly different between the analyzed sites, mainly between forest and peridomicile environments. The change in species dominance could largely explain this change in mosquito community composition. Haemagogus janthinomys, an important sylvatic arbovirus vector, was found in peridomicile habitats and Ae. albopictus, a vector associated with human environments, was found in forest habitats, thus providing evidence of species spillover. Our results indicated that landscape changes affect mosquito communities, influencing their richness and abundance. These changes may have implications for future arboviral outbreaks in this rural settlement due to the possible establishment of sylvatic vector species in anthropic environments.