Landscape Heterogeneity Predicts Mosquito Vector Diversity in a Semi-arid Urbanization.

Urbanized sites are heterogeneous environments where socio-ecological elements and complex land-use dynamics coexist. The proximity of hosts, vectors and high human density leaves inhabitants at risk of zoonotic diseases. Consequently, we urgently need to understand vector ecology in urban areas, especially in arid areas where accumulation of water in containers promotes mosquito breeding. Our aim here was to understand how the community structure of vector mosquitoes is linked to: a) social variables, b) microclimatic variables (temperature and relative humidity) and c) landscape heterogeneity (a measure of diversity of land use). This study was conducted in a semi-arid Mexican city, San Luis Potosí. Twenty-one sampling units were used that varied in marginalization and urbanization degree. Mosquitoes were collected in June and August in 2024, to represent the dry and wet seasons, respectively, using CDC traps for adults. We identified 15 vector mosquito species whereby Culex tarsalis (30%) was the most dominant species, followed by Cx. quinquefasciatus (28%), Cx. interrogator and Aedes aegypti (10%). Abundance and richness were largely explained by landscape heterogeneity. Ae. aegypti responded to a combination of urban and natural (non-urbanized) degree. Opposite to expectation, neither temperature nor humidity explained changes in richness and diversity, yet high marginalization and low marginalization were key to explaining community structure. These findings can be used for identifying priority areas for urban vector and arboviral disease control.