Department of Integrative Parasitology and Zoophysiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Sci Total Environ. 2024 Mar 20;917:170454. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170454. Epub 2024 Jan 28.
The black fly genus Simulium includes medically and ecologically important species, characterized by a wide variation of ecological niches largely determining their distributional patterns. In a rapidly changing environment, species-specific niche characteristics determine whether a species benefits or not. With aquatic egg, larval and pupal stages followed by a terrestrial adult phase, their spatial arrangements depend upon the interplay of aquatic conditions and climatic-landscape parameters in the terrestrial realm. The aim of this study was to enhance the understanding of the distributional patterns among Simulium species and their ecological drivers. In an ecological niche modelling approach, we focused on 12 common black fly species with different ecological requirements. Our modelling was based on available distribution data along with five stream variables describing the climatic, land-cover, and topographic conditions of river catchments. The modelled freshwater habitat suitability was spatially interpolated to derive an estimate of the adult black flies' probability of occurrence. Based on similarities in the spatial patterns of modelled habitat suitability we were able to identify three biogeographical groups, which allows us to confirm old assessments with current occurrence data: (A) montane species, (B) broad range species and (C) lowland species. The five veterinary and human medical relevant species Simulium equinum, S. erythrocephalum, S. lineatum, S. ornatum and S. reptans are mainly classified in the lowland species group. In the course of climatic changes, it is expected that biocoenosis will slightly shift towards upstream regions, so that the lowland group will presumably emerge as the winner. This is mainly explained by wider ecological niches, including a higher temperature tolerance and tolerance to various pollutants. In conclusion, these findings have significant implications for human and animal health. As exposure to relevant Simulium species increases, it becomes imperative to remain vigilant, particularly in investigating the potential transmission of pathogens.
黑蝇属 Simulium 包括具有重要医学和生态学意义的物种，其生态位广泛多样，在很大程度上决定了它们的分布模式。在快速变化的环境中，物种特有的生态位特征决定了一个物种是否受益。黑蝇具有水生卵、幼虫和蛹阶段，随后是陆生成虫阶段，它们的空间排列取决于水生条件和陆地景观参数在陆地领域的相互作用。本研究旨在增强对不同生态需求的 Simulium 物种分布模式及其生态驱动因素的理解。在生态位建模方法中，我们专注于 12 种具有不同生态需求的常见黑蝇物种。我们的建模基于可用的分布数据以及描述河流流域气候、土地覆盖和地形条件的五个溪流变量。模拟的淡水栖息地适宜性进行空间插值，以得出成虫黑蝇出现概率的估计值。基于模型栖息地适宜性的空间模式相似性，我们能够确定三个生物地理群，这使我们能够用当前的出现数据来确认旧的评估：（A）高山物种，（B）广泛分布的物种和（C）低地物种。五种兽医和人类医学相关的物种 Simulium equinum、S. erythrocephalum、S. lineatum、S. ornatum 和 S. reptans 主要归类为低地物种。在气候变化过程中，预计生物群落将略微向上游地区转移，因此低地物种组可能会成为赢家。这主要是由于更广泛的生态位，包括更高的温度耐受性和对各种污染物的耐受性。总之，这些发现对人类和动物健康具有重要意义。由于接触相关 Simulium 物种的增加，保持警惕变得至关重要，特别是在调查潜在的病原体传播方面。
