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 im

SUBMITTER: Amdouni J 

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature