Nyasvisvo David Singleton, Nhiwatiwa Tamuka, Sithole Rudo, Sande Shadreck
Department of Biological Sciences and Ecology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Department of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Namibia, Henties Bay, Namibia.
J Vector Borne Dis. 2025 Apr 1;62(2):154-164. doi: 10.4103/JVBD.JVBD_85_24. Epub 2024 Oct 5.
Area-specific identification and studies of Anopheles breeding habitat diversity, distribution, and productivity in different seasons are important in designing and advancing effective malaria vector control according to the local context and needs. This study identified and characterized Anopheles breeding habitats for targeted control of malaria vectors in Mazowe and Shamva districts of Zimbabwe.
Repeated cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Mazowe and Shamva districts between April and December 2023. Habitat productivity and physicochemical parameters were measured. Anopheles larvae were collected, reared to adults, and identified using morphological keys. SPSS software was used for data analysis. One-way ANOVA, Fisher's exact, Pearson's correlation, and simple linear regression tests were conducted.
Seven different types of Anopheles breeding habitats were identified from 56 sites. The highest mean density of larvae was recorded in stream edge pools during the post-rainfall period. Anopheles pretoriensis (67.4%), An. gambiae s.l. (23.1%), An. rufipes (9.2%) and An. coustani (0.38%) were breeding in the study area. An. pretoriensis bred in all habitat types, An. coustani in swamps only while An. gambiae s.l. and An. rufipes preferred stream edge pools, roadside pools, and hoof prints. There was a significant positive correlation between larval density and dissolved oxygen (r = 0.535; p < 0.001) and conductivity (r = 0.288; p = 0.032).
Size, origin, and type of breeding habitat were positive indicators for different Anopheles species in the study area. Potential malaria vector breeding habitats should be targeted for larval control under the current malaria control and elimination phases in the two districts.
在不同季节对按蚊繁殖栖息地的多样性、分布和生产力进行特定区域的识别和研究，对于根据当地情况和需求设计并推进有效的疟疾媒介控制至关重要。本研究对津巴布韦马佐韦和沙姆瓦地区的按蚊繁殖栖息地进行了识别和特征描述，以针对性地控制疟疾媒介。
2023年4月至12月期间，在马佐韦和沙姆瓦地区进行了重复横断面调查。测量了栖息地生产力和理化参数。收集按蚊幼虫，饲养至成虫，并使用形态学特征进行鉴定。使用SPSS软件进行数据分析。进行了单因素方差分析、Fisher精确检验、Pearson相关性分析和简单线性回归检验。
从56个地点识别出7种不同类型的按蚊繁殖栖息地。降雨后时期，溪流边缘水坑中的幼虫平均密度最高。在研究区域内，普氏按蚊（67.4%）、冈比亚按蚊复合组（23.1%）、红足按蚊（9.2%）和库斯塔尼按蚊（0.38%）在繁殖。普氏按蚊在所有栖息地类型中繁殖，库斯塔尼按蚊仅在沼泽中繁殖，而冈比亚按蚊复合组和红足按蚊更喜欢溪流边缘水坑、路边水坑和蹄印。幼虫密度与溶解氧（r = 0.535；p < 0.001）和电导率（r = 0.288；p = 0.032）之间存在显著正相关。
繁殖栖息地的大小、来源和类型是研究区域内不同按蚊种类的积极指标。在这两个地区当前的疟疾控制和消除阶段，应针对潜在的疟疾媒介繁殖栖息地进行幼虫控制。
