Dataset Information

Culex pipiens distribution in Tunisia: Identification of suitable areas through Random Forest and MaxEnt approaches.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tunisia has experienced several West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks since 1997. Yet, there is limited information on the spatial distribution of the main WNV mosquito vector Culex pipiens suitability at the national level.

Objectives

In the present study, our aim was to predict and evaluate the potential and current distribution of Cx. pipiens in Tunisia.

Methods

To this end, two species distribution models were used, i.e. MaxEnt and Random Forest. Occurrence records for Cx. pipiens were obtained from adult and larvae sampled in Tunisia from 2014 to 2017. Climatic and human factors were used as predictors to model the Cx. pipiens geographical distribution. Mean decrease accuracy and mean decrease Gini indices were calculated to evaluate the importance of the impact of different environmental and human variables on the probability distribution of Cx. pipiens.

Results

Suitable habitats were mainly distributed next to oases, in the north and eastern part of the country. The most important predictor was the population density in both models. The study found out that the governorates of Monastir, Nabeul, Manouba, Ariana, Bizerte, Gabes, Medenine and Kairouan are at highest epidemic risk.

Conclusions

The potential distribution of Cx. pipiens coincides geographically with the observed distribution of the disease in humans in Tunisia. Our study has the potential for driving control effort in the fight against West Nile vector in Tunisia.

SUBMITTER: Amdouni J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9677390 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Culex pipiens distribution in Tunisia: Identification of suitable areas through Random Forest and MaxEnt approaches.

Amdouni Jihane J Conte Annamaria A Ippoliti Carla C Candeloro Luca L Tora Susanna S Sghaier Soufien S Hassine Thameur Ben TB Fakhfekh Emna Ayari EA Savini Giovanni G Hammami Salah S

Veterinary medicine and science 20220825 6

<h4>Background</h4>Tunisia has experienced several West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks since 1997. Yet, there is limited information on the spatial distribution of the main WNV mosquito vector Culex pipiens suitability at the national level.<h4>Objectives</h4>In the present study, our aim was to predict and evaluate the potential and current distribution of Cx. pipiens in Tunisia.<h4>Methods</h4>To this end, two species distribution models were used, i.e. MaxEnt and Random Forest. Occurrence records ...[more]

PMID: 36005907

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundCulex spp. mosquitoes are considered to be the most important vectors of West Nile virus (WNV) detected in at least 34 species of mosquitoes in the United States. In North America, Culex pipiens pipiens, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, and Culex tarsalis are all competent vectors of WNV, which is considered to be enzootic in the United States and has also been detected in equines and birds in many states of Mexico and in humans in Nuevo Leon. There is potential for WNV to be introduced into Mexico City by various means including infected mosquitoes on airplanes, migrating birds, ground transportation and infected humans. Little is known of the geographic distribution of Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes and hybrids in Mexico City. Culex pipiens pipiens preferentially feed on avian hosts; Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus have historically been considered to prefer mammalian hosts; and hybrids of these two species could theoretically serve as bridge vectors to transmit WNV from avian hosts to humans and other mammalian hosts. In order to address the potential of WNV being introduced into Mexico City, we have determined the identity and spatial distribution of Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes and their hybrids.ResultsMosquito larvae collected from 103 sites throughout Mexico City during 2004-2005 were identified as Culex, Culiseta or Ochlerotatus by morphological analysis. Within the genus Culex, specimens were further identified as Culex tarsalis or as belonging to the Culex pipiens complex. Members of the Culex pipiens complex were separated by measuring the ratio of the dorsal and ventral arms (DV/D ratio) of the male genitalia and also by using diagnostic primers designed for the Ace.2 gene. Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus was the most abundant form collected.ConclusionsImportant WNV vectors species, Cx. p. pipiens, Cx. p. quinquefasciatus and Cx. tarsalis, are all present in Mexico City. Hybrids of Cx. p. pipiens and Cx. p. quinquefasciatus were also collected and identified. The presence and abundance of these WNV competent vectors is a cause for concern. Understanding the distribution of these vectors can help improve viral surveillance activities and mosquito control efforts in Mexico City.

Dataset Information

Culex pipiens distribution in Tunisia: Identification of suitable areas through Random Forest and MaxEnt approaches.

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Culex pipiens distribution in Tunisia: Identification of suitable areas through Random Forest and MaxEnt approaches.

Similar Datasets

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