title: River boats contribute to the regional spread of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti in the Peruvian Amazon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The dramatic range expansion of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti is associated with various anthropogenic transport activities, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms driving this geographic expansion. We longitudinally characterized infestation of different vehicle types (cars, boats, etc.) to estimate the frequency and intensity of mosquito introductions into novel locations (propagule pressure).
  
  
  METHODS
  Exhaustive adult and immature Ae. aegypti collections were performed on six different vehicle types at five ports and two bus/ taxi departure points in the Amazonian city of Iquitos, Peru during 2013. Aquatic vehicles included 32 large and 33 medium-sized barges, 53 water taxis, and 41 speed boats. Terrestrial vehicles sampled included 40 buses and 30 taxis traveling on the only highway in the region. Ae. aegypti adult infestation rates and immature indices were analyzed by vehicle type, location within vehicles, and sampling date.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Large barges (71.9% infested) and medium barges (39.4% infested) accounted for most of the infestations. Notably, buses had an overall infestation rate of 12.5%. On large barges, the greatest number of Ae. aegypti adults were found in October, whereas most immatures were found in February followed by October. The vast majority of larvae (85.9%) and pupae (76.7%) collected in large barges were produced in puddles formed in cargo holds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because larges barges provide suitable mosquito habitats (due to dark, damp cargo storage spaces and ample oviposition sites), we conclude that they likely serve as significant contributors to mosquitoes' propagule pressure across long distances throughout the Peruvian Amazon. This information can help anticipate vector population mixing and future range expansions of dengue and other viruses transmitted by Ae. aegypti.
authors: Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors: Sarah Anne
authors: SA
authors: Guagliardo
authors: Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States of America.
authors: Amy C
authors: AC
authors: Morrison
authors: Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Peru.
authors: Jose Luis
authors: JL
authors: Barboza
authors: Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Peru.
authors: Edwin
authors: E
authors: Requena
authors: U. S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.6 (NAMRU-6) Iquitos Laboratory, Iquitos, Peru.
authors: Helvio
authors: H
authors: Astete
authors: Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America; Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America.
authors: Gonzalo
authors: G
authors: Vazquez-Prokopec
authors: Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America; Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America.
authors: Uriel
authors: U
authors: Kitron
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D002947:Cities; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D011679:Pupa / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology; D045483:Rivers; D012621:Seasons; D012767:Ships