New highland distribution records of multiple Anopheles species in the Ecuadorian Andes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Several recent climate change reviews have stressed the possibility of some malaria vectors occupying regions of higher altitudes than previously recorded. Indeed, highland malaria has been observed in several African nations, possibly attributable to changes in land use, vector control and local climate. This study attempts to expand the current knowledge of the distribution of common Anopheles species in Ecuador, with particular attention to highland regions (> 500 m) of the Andes.

Methods

Extensive field collections of larvae were undertaken in 2008, 2009 and 2010 throughout all regions of Ecuador (except the lower-altitude Amazonian plain) and compared to historical distribution maps reproduced from the 1940s. Larvae were identified using both a morphological

SUBMITTER: Pinault LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3176254 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature