title: Abundance and distribution of immature mosquitoes in urban rivers proximate to their larval habitats.
abstract: Whether ecological restoration of polluted urban rivers would provide suitable breeding habitats for some mosquitoes was not clear yet. It was therefore important to determine how altered river conditions influence mosquito ecology. Monthly data on water quality and larval density were obtained to determine the effects of river systems on the distribution and abundance of immature mosquitoes in two coastal cities in Eastern China. In total, 5 species within two genera of mosquitoes were collected and identified in habitat with vegetation from three positive rivers. Culex pipiens pallens was the most abundant and widely distributed species. A new species (Culex fuscanus) was reported in certain districts. Physico-chemical parameters of river water were important, but not the only, set of influences on immature mosquito breeding. Aquatic vegetation could increase the likelihood of mosquito breeding while artificial aeration might prevent the approach of mosquitoes. Slow-moving water might be a new potential marginal habitat type for some Culex and Aedes albopictus. Variation of river system with ecological restoration might influence the abundance and distribution of immature mosquitoes.
authors: School of Ecology and Environmental Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Huang Shan University, Huangshan 245041, China.
authors: Minghai
authors: M
authors: Ma
authors: School of Ecology and Environmental Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China. Electronic address: mshuang@des.ecnu.edu.cn.
authors: Minsheng
authors: M
authors: Huang
authors: Department of Vector Control, Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Shanghai 200031, China.
authors: Peien
authors: P
authors: Leng
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes; D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D002947:Cities; D003465:Culex; D003710:Demography; D017753:Ecosystem; D005618:Fresh Water; D007814:Larva; D011157:Population Dynamics; D045483:Rivers; D014876:Water Pollution; D060753:Water Quality
keywords: Habitat factors; Immature mosquito density; Mosquito species; Polluted urban rivers; Water quality parameters