Mosquito bloodmeal preferences in two zoological gardens in Germany

The analysis of bloodmeals in mosquitoes collected in two zoological gardens in Germany revealed 56 host species, mainly representing mammals of the zoo animal population. These results indicate opportunistic feeding patterns with low host ‐specificity in the analysed mosquitoes. According to their bloodmeals, mosquitoes could be grouped into ‘amphibian‐’, ‘non‐human mammal‐’ and ‘non‐human mammal and human‐’ feeding species. AbstractBecause they provide a high density and diversity of vertebrate species, small water pools and shaded environments, zoological gardens offer ideal living conditions for numerous mosquito species. Depending on their host preferences and vector competencies, these species may be able to transmit pathogens between native and non ‐adapted exotic blood host species, thereby causing morbidity and mortality among valuable zoo animals. To determine the extent to which native mosquito species feed on captive and wild animals, as well as on humans, in two German zoological gardens, mosquitoes were collected over two seasons by t rapping and aspirating. A total of 405 blood‐fed specimens belonging to 16 mosquito taxa were collected. Genetic bloodmeal analysis revealed 56 host species, mainly representing mammals of the zoo animal population, including exotic species previously not known as blood hosts of the mosquito speci es collected. These results indicate opportunistic feeding patterns with low host‐specificity in the analy...
Source: Medical and Veterinary Entomology - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research