title: Modeling the habitat suitability for the arbovirus vector Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Germany.
abstract: Climatic changes raise the risk of re-emergence of arthropod-borne virus outbreaks globally. These viruses are transmitted by arthropod vectors, often mosquitoes. Due to increasing worldwide trade and tourism, these vector species are often accidentally introduced into many countries beyond their former distribution range. Aedes albopictus, a well-known disease vector, was detected for the first time in Germany in 2007, but seems to have failed establishment until today. However, the species is known to occur in other temperate regions and a risk for establishment in Germany remains, especially in the face of predicted climate change. Thus, the goal of the study was to estimate the potential distribution of Ae. albopictus in Germany. We used ecological niche modeling in order to estimate the potential habitat suitability for this species under current and projected future climatic conditions. According to our model, there are already two areas in western and southern Germany that appear suitable for Ae. albopictus under current climatic conditions. One of these areas lies in Baden-Wuerttemberg, the other in North-Rhine Westphalia in the Ruhr region. Furthermore, projections under future climatic conditions show an increase of the modeled habitat suitability throughout Germany. Ae. albopictus is supposed to be better acclimated to colder temperatures than other tropical vectors and thus, might become, triggered by climate change, a serious threat to public health in Germany. Our modeling results can help optimizing the design of monitoring programs currently in place in Germany.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity; Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F); Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Goethe-University (GU), Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt/ M., Germany. lisa.koch@senckenberg.de.
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity; Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F); Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Goethe-University (GU), Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt/ M., Germany.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cunze
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity; Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F); Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Goethe-University (GU), Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt/ M., Germany.
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Werblow
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity; Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F); Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Goethe-University (GU), Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt/ M., Germany.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kochmann
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity; Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F); Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Goethe-University (GU), Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt/ M., Germany.
authors.forename: Dorian D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Dörge
authors.affiliation: Institute for Parasitology, Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mehlhorn
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity; Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F); Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Goethe-University (GU), Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt/ M., Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Klimpel
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D001103:Arboviruses / Q000502:physiology*; D057231:Climate Change; D017753:Ecosystem; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000821:virology; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011634:Public Health
keywords: Asian tiger mosquito; Climate change; Ecological niche modeling; Maxent; Species distribution modeling