Limnological variables associated with the presence of Anopheles Meigen, 1818 (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae in breeding sites in Amazonas, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to correlate environmental characteristics (biotic and abiotic) of different breeding site types with the richness and abundance of anophelines in the metropolitan region of Manaus, Brazil. Anopheles larvae and biotic and abiotic parameters were collected in artificial breeding sites, where we demonstrated that the dams presented characteristics of natural environments, with good water quality, shaded areas, and the presence of macrophytes, positively influencing the larval abundance of anophelines. The fish ponds are in the process of transitioning from a natural to an altered environment, followed by breeding sites classified as clay pits (anthropized). Macrophyte richness was higher in dams and fish ponds, being responsible for creating microhabitats for larvae and the structure of breeding sites. Ten anopheline species were identified, totaling 1,186 individuals, with an abundance of An. triannulatus (Neiva & Pinto, 1922), An. albitarsis Lynch-Arribálzaga, 1878, An. nuneztovari Gabaldón, 1940 and An. darlingi Root, 1926. Malaria vectors in the region were present in all collection sites. A good part of the physicochemical parameters were in agreement with the current environmental resolution, mainly in less altered environments. Another strong correlation was observed between anophelines and some limnological parameters, which may be an indicator of the presence of these Culicidae in the environments.