BREEDING HABITATS OF ANOPHELES MOSQUITOES IN A RIVERINE LOCALITY OF ANAMBRA STATE

Autor: C. M Egbuche, A. E onyido, F. G. Akunna, C. U. Ogbonna, C. B. Ukonze, C. K. Ezihe
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2019
Předmět:
Zdroj: The Bioscientist, Vol 7, Iss 1 (2019)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2630-7103
2630-7111
Popis: Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The malaria parasites are transmitted naturally by Anopheles mosquitoes. The survival and capacity of Anopheles mosquitoes to transmit malaria parasites is partly linked to their breeding ecology. Thus, survey of breeding habitats of Anopheles mosquitoes has become one of the important metrics needed for effective control of malaria. The aim of this research was to determine the types, preferences, availability and productivity of Anopheles mosquitoes breeding habitats in Anambra East LGA, Anambra State. Longitudinal study design that lasted for one year was adopted in this study. Larvae of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from their potential breeding habitats using dipping method. The larvae were reared to adults and their species identified morphologically using standard keys. The breeding habitats identified were basin, clay pot, canoes, drainage channel / gutter, head pan, plastic containers / drum, puddle, riverbank, and swamp. Of these, canoe, plastic drums/containers and riverbanks showed 100% (12/12) monthly and seasonal availability. An. gambiae s. l. and An. funestus larvae were found in 100% (9/9) of the breeding habitats. An. moucheti and An. nili larvae were found in 66.7% (6/9) of the breeding habitats. Mean abundance of An. gambiae s. l. larvae were highest (45.8±3.2) in the Riverbanks and least (0.8±0.8) in head pans (p < 0.05). Mean abundance of An. funestus larvae was highest (12.4±3.1) in the drainage channel / gutter and least (0.8±0.6) in head pans (p < 0.05). Mean abundance of An. moucheti larvae was highest (17.1±2.8) in the Riverbanks and least (0.3±0.2) in drainage channel / gutter (p < 0.05). Mean abundance of An. nili larvae was highest (7.8±2.3) in the Riverbanks and least (0.2±0.2) in drainage clay pot and plastic containers / drum (p < 0.05). This study has revealed that species of Anopheles mosquitoes in the study area have multiple breeding habitats. The overlap in their choice of breeding habitats shows that they can occur in sympatry, with riverbanks being the most productive habitat. All year round availability of riverbank, canoe and plastic drums/containers sustain their population, and this can contribute to stable malaria transmission in the study area.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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