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. 2016 Nov 17;13(11):1150.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph13111150.

Structure, Spatial and Temporal Distribution of the Culex pipiens Complex in Shanghai, China

Affiliations

Structure, Spatial and Temporal Distribution of the Culex pipiens Complex in Shanghai, China

Qiang Gao et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Culex pipiens molestus was first reported in Shanghai in 2010. The population structures and seasonal distributions of Culex pipiens subspecies C. p. molestus, Culex pipiens pallens, and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus are not well known.

Methods: From late February to November 2013, we conducted daily field surveillance of mosquitoes at eight sites at two green lands and three residential areas in downtown Shanghai. Morphological comparison and DV/D ratios (DV/D is an indicator of mosquito taxonomy) were used to identify adult mosquitoes.

Results: The distribution curves of the Culex pipiens complex members indicated seasonal fluctuations. The temperature range of 20-25 °C was the most suitable for adult activity. Micro-environmental factors may differentiate the complex population structures. Hybridization between C. p. pallens and C. p. quinquefasciatus was common and neither "DV/D = 0.40" nor "DV/D = 0.50" can distinguish these subspecies and their hybrids. Conclusion: the population structure of the Culex pipiens complex is complex and characterized by significant hybridization. Measures other than DV/D ratios are needed for the discrimination of subspecies. The C. p. molestus invasion might result in the transmission of novel vector-borne diseases in Shanghai.

Keywords: C. p. molestus; Culex pipiens complex; DV/D ratio; downtown Shanghai; micro-environment; population structure; seasonality.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Approximate distribution of Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes in China (map constructed mainly from References [5,6,7,8,9,10]).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Regions and sites for mosquito surveillance in downtown Shanghai (Huangpu district).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Genitalia (dorsal view, post-rotation) of male Culex pipiens complex samples collected in downtown Shanghai, China. Typical C. p. molestus (M-1, 2, 3): the dorsal arms are divergent and broad, and their tips are thick and blunt, the ventral arms are narrow, short and sharply bent laterally. Atypical C. p. molestus (M-4, 5, 6): the ventral arms are longer than the typical ones, and the DV/D ratio increases accordingly. Typical C. p. pallens (P-1, 2, 3): the dorsal arms are divergent and broad, and their tips are thick and bluntly round (or truncate), the ventral arms are broad, long and extend caudolaterally (the same as C. p. quinquefasciatus). Atypical C. p. pallens (P-4, 5, 6): the ventral arms are narrower (P-4), or the cross-section of the dorsal arms’ tips are irregular (P-5, 6). Typical C. p. quinquefasciatus (Q-1, 2, 3): the dorsal arms are parallel (or divergent, Q-2, 3) and narrow, and their tips are markedly pointed, the ventral arms are broad, long and extend caudolaterally. Atypical C. p. quinquefasciatus (P-4, 5, 6): the tips of the dorsal arms are "thumb-shaped" (Q-4), or the dorsal arms are a little bit thicker (Q-5) or flat (Q-6). Hybrids of pallens and quinquefasciatus (H-1, 2, 3): morphological character of the dorsal arms is between C. p. pallens and C. p. quinquefasciatus.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Characteristics of the structure, spatial and temporal distribution of Culex pipiens complex in downtown Shanghai, China. (a) Proportion of the four forms of Culex pipiens complex at the eight sites in downtown Shanghai; (b) Correlation between temperature and counts of Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes in downtown Shanghai; (c) Seasonal fluctuation of Culex pipiens complex members in downtown Shanghai; (d) DV/D ratio of Culex pipiens complex members in downtown Shanghai.

References

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