Seasonal changes of mosquito communities structure in two endemic regions for arboviruses in Costa Rica: Species richness, diversity, bloodmeal preferences and viral positivity

Abstract

Abstract Mosquitoes are vectors of several arboviruses belonging to the genus Alphavirus and Flavivirus. Costa Rica is endemic for several arboviruses. To described and analyze the community structure of vectors in the country, a sampling was performed in two different coastal locations with evidence of arboviral activity during rainy and dry seasons. Encephalitis vector surveillance Traps, CDC Female Gravid Traps and ovitraps were used. Viral detection for several arbovirus was attempted. Blood-meal identification was also performed. A total of 1802 adult mosquitoes belonging to 55 species were captured. Culex quinquefasciatus was the most captured. species The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was estimated for each area during rainy and dry season. The higher difference between seasonal regional NDVI yield lower values of Chao- Sørensen Similarity Index. Chao2 values and Shannon Index for species diversity were also estimated. There was no viral detection for VEEV, WNV, Madariaga. Dengue virus and Zika virus were detected in two separate Culex quinquefasciatus. The main sources of bloodmeal chickens (60%) and humans (27.5%). Both sampled areas have different seasonal dynamics and population turnover reflected in the Chao2 species richness estimation values and Shannon diversity Index. NDVI influence the mosquito diversity at a regional scale more than at a local scale. However, yearlong continuous sampling is required for a better understanding of local dynamics.