The rare and the common: habitat suitability and niche segregation of Anopheles algeriensis (Theobald, 1903) and Anopheles claviger s.s. (Meigen, 1804) in North-German peatlands is shaped by distinct landscape-weather interactions.

backgroundPeatland rewetting is a cost-effective strategy for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation, yet its potential to alter mosquito species composition and abundance carries implications for public and veterinary health. Anopheles algeriensis and Anopheles claviger s.s. are broadly distributed across European wetlands, including peatlands, but despite their vector potential, their specific ecological niches and responses to rewetting remain poorly understood.

methodsAdult mosquitoes were sampled biweekly across two consecutive seasons at 15 sites within a fen peatland landscape in North-East Germany and identified morphologically. Anopheline specimens outside the Anopheles maculipennis complex underwent further molecular identification. Sampling sites were grouped into three habitat types, wet peatlands, drained peatlands, and settlements, based on key peatland characteristics. Subsequently, generalised linear mixed models were used to assess species-specific responses to habitat type and their interactions with relevant weather variables.

resultsA total of 278 An. algeriensis individuals were collected, with significantly higher abundances observed in wet peatlands than in other habitat types. Mean temperature and mean relative humidity were positively correlated with abundance. The former independent of habitat types, the latter was modulated by them. Cumulative precipitation was negatively correlated with abundance, varying in strength across habitat types. In contrast, 950 An. claviger s.s. specimens were most abundant in settlements. Mean relative humidity was positively correlated with abundance in settlements, but negatively in other habitat types. Minimum temperature during trap nights was positively correlated with abundance in settlements, and in wet peatlands, but negatively in drained peatlands.

conclusionsDistinct distribution and abundance patterns driven by landscape-weather interaction were identified for two Anopheles vectors. Our findings demonstrate species-specific responses to peatland habitat types and highlight the need to integrate vector surveillance into rewetting and management strategies within a One Health framework.