title: Comparative entomological study on ecology and behaviour of Anopheles mosquitoes in highland and lowland localities of Derashe District, southern Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Change in climatic and socio-economic situations is paving the way for the spread of malaria in highland areas which were generally known to be malaria free. Despite this, information regarding highland malaria transmission is scarce. Thus, the present study investigated entomological parameters linked to malaria transmission in the highlands of Southern Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A longitudinal entomological study was conducted in three localities situated at different altitudes ranging between 1300 and 2650m above sea level in Derashe district, Southern Ethiopia. Larval and adult anopheline mosquitoes were collected between October 2011 and February 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An. arabiensis and An. funestus s.l existed at significantly higher densities in the lowland (Wozeka) in contrast to An. christyi and An. Demeilloni, which were more abundant in the highland localities (P < 0.01). Conversely, An. pharoensis and An. cinereus were scarce and only found in the lowland and highlands, respectively. Habitats of larvae of An. arabiensis were characterized as clear, sun-lit, permanent, still water (streams) without vegetation and situated close to human habitations. On the other hand, habitats of An. christyi are shaded, still, turbid and contain natural water (rain pools) with vegetation and mats of algae. The relative abundance of An. Arabiensis, which is the primary malaria vector in Ethiopia is significantly and positively correlated with water temperature, pH and average depth (P < 0.05). An. arabiensis, An. funestus s.l and An. demeilloni showed zoophilic and exophilic tendencies. None of the anophelines tested for P. falciparum and P. vivax sporozoite infections were positive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, malaria parasites and vectors existed in the highlands of Derashe District. Therefore, appropriate disease and vector control strategies must be designed and implemented to prevent potential outbreaks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Hossana College of Health Sciences, P.O. BOX 159, Hossana, Ethiopia. terefegone@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Terefe
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gone
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Vector Biology, Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. meshesha_b@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Meshesha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balkew
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Vector Biology, Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. teshomegm@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Teshome
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gebre-Michael
mesh_terms: D000531:Altitude; D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D005002:Ethiopia; D005191:Family Characteristics; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D011156:Population Density; D011891:Rain; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors