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. 2013 Apr;108(2):220-8.
doi: 10.1590/0074-0276108022013015.

Malaria entomological risk factors in relation to land cover in the Lower Caura River Basin, Venezuela

Yasmin Rubio-Palis  1 , Mariapia Bevilacqua, Domingo Alberto Medina, Jorge Ernesto Moreno, Lya Cárdenas, Víctor Sánchez, Yarys Estrada, William Anaya, Ángela Martínez
Affiliations

Malaria entomological risk factors in relation to land cover in the Lower Caura River Basin, Venezuela

Yasmin Rubio-Palis et al. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2013 Apr.

Abstract

To explore the effects of deforestation and resulting differences in vegetation and land cover on entomological parameters, such as anopheline species composition, abundance, biting rate, parity and entomological inoculation rate (EIR), three villages were selected in the Lower Caura River Basin, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. All-night mosquito collections were conducted between March 2008-January 2009 using CDC light traps and Mosquito Magnet® Liberty Plus. Human landing catches were performed between 06:00 pm-10:00 pm, when anophelines were most active. Four types of vegetation were identified. The Annual Parasite Index was not correlated with the type of vegetation. The least abundantly forested village had the highest anopheline abundance, biting rate and species diversity. Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles nuneztovari were the most abundant species and were collected in all three villages. Both species showed unique biting cycles. The more abundantly forested village of El Palmar reported the highest EIR. The results confirmed previous observations that the impacts of deforestation and resulting changes in vegetation cover on malaria transmission are complex and vary locally.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. relative location of study site, Lower Caura River Basin, municipalities of Sucre and Cedeño, state of Bolívar, Venezuela
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. mean number of Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles nuneztovari caught in Mosquito Magnet(r) traps in the study area between March 2008-January 2009, state of Bolívar, Venezuela
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
biting cycle of Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles nuneztovari, state of Bolívar, Venezuela.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
parous rate of Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles nuneztovari between March 2008-January 2009 caught in Jabillal, municipality of Sucre, state of Bolívar, Venezuela.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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