Water physicochemical parameters linked to mosquito diversity and arbovirus infection in Mexico City

Abstract

Urban landscapes can shape mosquito community composition and influence arbovirus transmission dynamics. The rapid urbanization and environmental heterogeneity of Mexico City have created diverse aquatic microhabitats that may favor specific mosquito assemblages. Therefore, we surveyed mosquito communities and their aquatic environmental conditions across eight regions of the city between May 2023 and April 2024. 2,569 adult female mosquitoes were collected using CDC light traps, oral aspirators, and dippers for immature stages. Physicochemical parameters were simultaneously recorded at breeding sites specifically from May 2023 to November 2023. Redundancy analysis revealed that temperature and conductivity were associated with species distribution. To complement the ecological assessment, we screened the collected females for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya yet no arboviral RNA was detected. Our results depict how mosquito communities can be shaped by physicochemical variables, similar to other related studies. That no arboviruses were detected does not mean that Mexico City is free from this threat given the reports of this in close, neighboring cities. Thus, a surveillance program is needed to prevent arboviral emergence.