Blood-feeding ecology of mosquitoes in two zoological gardens in the United Kingdom.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Zoological gardens contain unique configurations of exotic and endemic animals and plants that create a diverse range of developing sites and potential sources of blood meals for local mosquitoes. This may imply unusual interspecific pathogen transmission risks involving zoo vertebrates, like avian malaria to captive penguins. Understanding mosquito ecology and host feeding patterns is necessary to improve mosquito control and disease prevention measures in these environments.

Methods

Mosquito sampling took place in Chester Zoo for 3 years (2017, 2018, and 2019) and for 1 year in Flamingo Land (2017) using different trapping methods. Blood-fed mosquitoes were identified and their blood meal was amplified by PCR, sequenced, and blasted for host species identificati

SUBMITTER: Hernandez-Colina A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8139098 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature