1
|
Reeves LE, Medina J, Miqueli E, Sloyer KE, Petrie W, Vasquez C, Burkett-Cadena ND. Establishment of Aedes (Ochlerotatus) scapularis (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mainland Florida, With Notes on the Ochlerotatus Group in the United States. J Med Entomol 2021; 58:717-729. [PMID: 33225354 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Aedes scapularis (Rondani), a widespread neotropical vector mosquito species, has been included in the mosquito fauna of Florida on the basis of just three larval specimens that were collected in the middle Florida Keys in 1945. Here, we report numerous recent collections of immature and adult Ae. scapularis from multiple locations in two counties of southern Florida. These specimens represent the first records of Ae. scapularis from mainland Florida and the first records of the species in the state since the initial detection of the species 75 yr ago. Collections of both larvae and adults across several years indicate that Ae. scapularis is now established in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. These contemporary records of this species in Florida may represent novel dispersal and subsequent establishment events from populations outside the United States or a recent reemergence of undetected endemic populations. To confirm morphological identification of Ae. scapularis specimens from Florida, the DNA barcoding region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) was sequenced and compared to all other Ochlerotatus Group species from the United States, specifically Aedes condolescens Dyar and Knab (Diptera: Culicidae), Aedes infirmatus Dyar and Knab (Diptera: Culicidae), Aedes thelcter Dyar (Diptera: Culicidae), Aedes tortilis (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae), and Aedes trivittatus (Coquillett) (Diptera: Culicidae). Molecular assays and sequencing confirm morphological identification of Ae. scapularis specimens. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis of COI and ITS2 sequences place Florida Ae. scapularis in a distinct clade, but was unable to produce distinct clades for Florida specimens of Ae. condolescens and Ae. tortilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence E Reeves
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL
| | | | | | - Kristin E Sloyer
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL
| | | | | | - Nathan D Burkett-Cadena
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Campbell LP, Burkett-Cadena ND, Miqueli E, Unlu I, Sloyer KE, Medina J, Vasquez C, Petrie W, Reeves LE. Potential Distribution of Aedes ( Ochlerotatus) scapularis (Diptera: Culicidae): A Vector Mosquito New to the Florida Peninsula. Insects 2021; 12:insects12030213. [PMID: 33802305 PMCID: PMC8001964 DOI: 10.3390/insects12030213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Aedes scapularis is an important mosquito species capable of transmitting viruses and parasites to humans and animals. Aedes scapularis was previously known to occur throughout large portions of the Americas, from the lower Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas to Argentina and on several Caribbean Islands. Recently, this mosquito became established in southern Florida, marking the first time Ae. scapularis was found on the Florida Peninsula. Now that Ae. scapularis has reached the Florida Peninsula, it is expected to continue to expand its geographic distribution to fill contiguous areas with suitable environments. Here, we use a modeling approach that correlates environmental variables with known geographic collection locations of Ae. scapularis to predict the potential distribution of this species. The output of this model provides new information for mosquito control and public health agencies to help monitor the spread of this exotic vector mosquito and suggests a need for surveillance for the expansion of this mosquito in many of Florida’s coastal counties. Abstract Aedes scapularis is a neotropical mosquito known to transmit pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Its recent establishment in southeastern Florida has potential public health implications. We used an ecological niche modeling approach to predict the abiotic environmental suitability for Ae. scapularis across much of the Americas and Caribbean Islands. Georeferenced occurrence data obtained from the Global Biodiversity Inventory Facility and recent collection records of Ae. scapularis from southern Florida served as input for model calibration. Environmental layers included bioclimatic variables provided in 2000 to 2010 average Modern Era Retrospective-analysis for Research and Applications climatic (MERRAclim) data. Models were run in the software program Maxent. Isothermality values often found in costal environments, had the greatest contribution to model performance. Model projections suggested that there are areas predicted to be suitable for Ae. Scapularis across portions of the Amazon Basin, the Yucatán Peninsula, the Florida Peninsula, and multiple Caribbean Islands. Additionally, model predictions suggested connectivity of highly suitable or relatively suitable environments spanning the United States Gulf Coast, which may facilitate the geographic expansion of this species. At least sixteen Florida counties were predicted to be highly suitable for Ae. scapularis, suggesting that vigilance is needed by vector control and public health agencies to recognize the further spread of this vector.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay P. Campbell
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology & Nematology, IFAS, University of Florida, 200 9th St SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (N.D.B.-C.); (K.E.S.); (L.E.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology & Nematology, IFAS, University of Florida, 200 9th St SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (N.D.B.-C.); (K.E.S.); (L.E.R.)
| | - Evaristo Miqueli
- Broward Mosquito Control Section, 1201 W Airport Rd., Pembroke Pines, FL 33024, USA;
| | - Isik Unlu
- Miami-Dade Mosquito Control Division, 8901 NW 58 St., Miami, FL 33178, USA; (I.U.); (J.M.); (C.V.); (W.P.)
| | - Kristin E. Sloyer
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology & Nematology, IFAS, University of Florida, 200 9th St SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (N.D.B.-C.); (K.E.S.); (L.E.R.)
| | - Johana Medina
- Miami-Dade Mosquito Control Division, 8901 NW 58 St., Miami, FL 33178, USA; (I.U.); (J.M.); (C.V.); (W.P.)
| | - Chalmers Vasquez
- Miami-Dade Mosquito Control Division, 8901 NW 58 St., Miami, FL 33178, USA; (I.U.); (J.M.); (C.V.); (W.P.)
| | - William Petrie
- Miami-Dade Mosquito Control Division, 8901 NW 58 St., Miami, FL 33178, USA; (I.U.); (J.M.); (C.V.); (W.P.)
| | - Lawrence E. Reeves
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology & Nematology, IFAS, University of Florida, 200 9th St SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (N.D.B.-C.); (K.E.S.); (L.E.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shin D, O'Meara GF, Civana A, Shroyer DA, Miqueli E. Culex interrogator (Diptera: Culicidae), a mosquito species new to Florida. J Vector Ecol 2016; 41:316-319. [PMID: 27860018 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dongyoung Shin
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory IFAS, University of Florida, 200 9th Street SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962, U.S.A
| | - George F O'Meara
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory IFAS, University of Florida, 200 9th Street SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962, U.S.A
| | - Ayse Civana
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory IFAS, University of Florida, 200 9th Street SE, Vero Beach, FL 32962, U.S.A
| | - Donald A Shroyer
- Indian River Mosquito Control District, 5655 41st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967, U.S.A
| | - Evaristo Miqueli
- Broward County Board of Commissioners, Public Works Department, Mosquito Control Section, 1201 West Airport Road, Pembroke Pines, FL 33023, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|