A survey of adult anophelines in French Guiana: enhanced descriptions of species distribution and biting responses. Issue 2 (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dusfour, Isabelle; Carinci, Romuald; Issaly, Jean; Gaborit, Pascal; Girod, Romain
• Is Part Of: Journal of vector ecology. Volume 38:Issue 2(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 203
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: Arthropod vectors -- Ecology -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Animal ecology -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Periodicals; Pests -- Control -- Periodicals; 571.986
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1948-7134.2013.12031.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1081-1710

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>In French Guiana, <italic>Anopheles darlingi</italic> is considered the main malaria vector. However, several reports have hypothesized the implication of other anopheline species in malaria transmission for the territory. Data on the ecology of these other potential vectors is rare or even unexplored in French Guiana. The aim of this study was to describe the biting habits of several anopheline species in multiple localities in French Guiana. Six sampling sites yielded 1, 083 anopheline adults. Results indicated the presence of <italic>An. darlingi</italic> in all study locations and it was the only species to be collected inside villages. Other anophelines collected included <italic>An. aquasalis, An. braziliensis, An. intermedius</italic>, <italic>An. mediopunctatus, An. nuneztovari</italic>, <italic>An. oswaldoi</italic>, and <italic>An. triannulatus</italic>, all of which were associated with open areas and forests. The environment and time, at which biting behavior was recorded, varied for each species. It was noted that <italic>An. oswaldoi</italic> showed a daytime rhythm in open areas. This study is the first to report on the biting habits of a range of anophelines in French Guiana that may play a role in malaria transmission. This information is vital to fully describe the risk of malaria transmission and thereby design appropriate vector control measures and malaria prevention programs.</p> </abstract>