Parasites & Vectors最新文献

{"title":"Complementing community science with xenomonitoring: Understanding the eco-epidemiology of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs and mosquitoes.","authors":"Tamara Szentivanyi, Laura V González, Ágnes Klein, Zoltán Soltész, László Z Garamszegi","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06882-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06882-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dirofilariosis is an emerging mosquito-borne disease that particularly affects domestic dogs worldwide but also causes symptoms in humans. Monitoring the distribution of emerging pathogens is essential for understanding the environmental and ecological factors influencing their transmission, which can be used to develop better prevention strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We applied both community science and molecular xenomonitoring to assess the occurrence of Dirofilaria immitis in domestic dogs and mosquitoes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>As part of the community science approach, we collected infection data from 1491 dogs from owners across Hungary, using a questionnaire survey. We found that 321 dogs (21.5%) tested positive for current or past dirofilariosis infection, with the highest prevalence observed in the southeastern (47.8%) and the eastern regions (43.4%) of the country. Age and living conditions affected infection status, with older dogs (aged 5-10 years and over 10 years) and those kept exclusively outdoors showing significantly higher infection rates. Molecular xenomonitoring revealed D. immitis infection in Aedes albopictus, Aedes koreicus, and Aedes vexans, with the highest minimum infection rate (MIR) in Ae. koreicus (28.5). Similar to community science results, the highest infection rates were observed in the southeastern and eastern regions (MIR: 14.9 and 11.6, respectively), but the two approaches generally provided overall similar geographical patterns.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While xenomonitoring did not detect infections in Central Transdanubia, community science successfully provided host infection data, demonstrating its usefulness in assessing the presence and distribution of the disease. Finally, we emphasize the value of using an integrative approach, combining community science and xenomonitoring for monitoring dirofilariosis, especially in areas where direct pathogen screening is unavailable.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"233"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12181931/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144336801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Excretory/secretory products from Hymenolepis nana adult worms alleviate ulcerative colitis in mice via tuft/IL-13 signaling pathway.","authors":"Rong Mou, Xuanyin Cui, Hongyan Wang, Zhenfen Zhang, Yi Cheng, Wenlan Wu, Jinfu Li, Ke Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06893-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06893-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hymenolepis nana (H. nana) is a zoonotic parasitic worm that parasitizes the small intestines of humans and rodents. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory bowel disease. Current symptom-based clinical treatments do not alter the natural course of UC, and mucosal healing has become a primary therapeutic goal for UC. However, the regulatory role of excretory/secretory products (ESPs) from H. nana adult worms in repairing the damaged intestinal mucosal barrier remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study investigated the protective effects of ESPs on intestinal mucosal integrity by using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model and a mouse small intestine organoid inflammation model. Histopathological alterations of mouse intestinal tissues were determined by pathological staining; the alterations in mucins, tight junction proteins, cytokines, and the number of various intestinal cells were detected by Western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), etc. RESULTS: ESPs significantly improved DSS-induced intestinal damage in mice. Meanwhile, ESPs increased mucins and tight junction proteins expression and promoted intestinal stem cell proliferation and differentiation, thereby maintaining intestinal mucosal barrier integrity and alleviating UC in mice. In the DSS-induced inflamed small intestinal organoid model, ESPs reduced organoid damage and promoted the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells. The protective mechanism of ESPs might be related to the activation of the tuft/IL-13 signaling pathway, regulating intestinal barrier function and promoting the regeneration of intestinal stem cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In conclusion, H. nana-derived ESPs intervention facilitates healing of intestinal mucosa to alleviate UC in mice, enriching the feasibility and selectivity of \"helminthic therapy.\"</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"230"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12180163/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144336803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental BTV-3 and BTV-8 infection of Culicoides sonorensis biting midges.","authors":"Sophie Zeiske, Franziska Sick, Helge Kampen, Bernd Hoffmann, Martin Beer, Kerstin Wernike","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06883-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06883-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the etiologic agent of a major infectious disease of livestock and is transmitted between its ruminant hosts by Culicoides biting midges. The first outbreak ever recorded in central Europe was caused by serotype BTV-8 and led to a major epidemic. In 2023, serotype BTV-3 emerged in the Netherlands and spread rapidly to neighbouring countries. Compared with the BTV-8 outbreak in 2006, the course of the BTV-3 epizootic is more severe, in regards to clinical signs and faster spread of the virus.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To explore possible causes of the different epidemiologies, we performed laboratory infection experiments and compared the replication properties of BTV-8 and BTV-3 in Culicoides sonorensis biting midges.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Oral infection with BTV-3 resulted in a significantly higher viral load in the infected midges with demonstrated replication than BTV-8 infection.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The higher viral load observed in midges with BTV-3 replication than in midges with BTV-8 replication may be a factor contributing to the observed faster outbreak progression of the current BTV-3 outbreak in comparison to the BTV-8 outbreak in 2006/2007.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"234"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12181863/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144336804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Preliminary data on the vector competence of Aedes caspius for Dirofililaria immitis in a traditionally endemic area of northern Italy.","authors":"Alice Vismarra, Marco Genchi, Alessia Maltoni, Manuela Semeraro, Laura Helen Kramer, Mattia Calzolari, Annalisa Grisendi, Gastone Dalmonte, Marta Fozzer","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06895-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06895-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"232"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12180214/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144336802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vector-borne pathogens in cats and associated fleas in southern Ethiopia.","authors":"Marika Grillini, Hana Tadesse, Alessandra Mondin, Maria Luisa Menandro, Giovanni Franzo, Giorgia Dotto, Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono, Bersissa Kumsa, Rudi Cassini, Giulia Simonato","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06855-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06855-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The worldwide increment of cat populations has increased the risk of ectoparasite infestation and feline vector-borne pathogen (VBP) transmission. In low-income countries, such as Ethiopia, favorable climatic conditions and the absence of preventive measures against ectoparasites contribute to broadening VBP circulation. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of protozoal (i.e., Hepatozoon, Babesia, and Cytauxzoon species) and bacterial (i.e., Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Bartonella species) infections in owned cats and in their ectoparasites in southern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was conducted in four districts of the Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia. Cats were sampled, and information about the animals was recorded. Blood samples were collected on Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards, while ectoparasites were collected by combing and stored in 70% ethanol. Fleas were morphologically identified, and DNA was extracted from both blood samples and ectoparasites, then submitted to molecular analysis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and end-point PCR were used to detect pathogens. Positive samples were sequenced, and a phylogenetic analysis was performed on the obtained Hepatozoon spp. and Rickettsia spp. sequences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 109 cats were sampled, and 115 fleas (i.e., 28 Ctenocephalides felis and 87 Echidnophaga gallinacea) and three ticks (Haemaphysalis laechi) were collected. Molecular analysis of feline blood samples revealed Hepatozoon spp. as the most common pathogen (36.7%; CI:28.3-46.1%), followed by Rickettsia spp. (5.5%; CI: 2.5-11.5%), Bartonella spp. (2.8%; CI:0.9-7.8%), and Babesia spp. (0.9%; CI:0.2-5.0%); whereas fleas harbored mostly Rickettsia spp. (52.2%; CI:43.1-61.1%), followed by Bartonella spp. (6.1%; CI: 3.0-12.0%), and Hepatozoon spp. (0.9%; CI: 0.2-4.8%). According to phylogenetic clustering, specimens of the Hepatozoon genus were classified as H. felis, H. luiperdjie,, and H. canis. Concerning the genus Rickettsia, it was not possible to reach a clear identification for the majority of the sequences, apart from some specimens ascribable to R. felis and R. asembonensis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Vector-borne pathogens posing significant threats to animal and human health were detected in this study. Molecular analysis suggested the circulation of different and genetically variable species in the feline host. The molecular approach allowed the identification of VBPs in the cat population and their fleas, providing new data on their occurrence and prevalence in Ethiopia and, more generally, in sub-Saharan Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"228"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12177963/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144333714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Significance of vertical transmission of arboviruses in mosquito-borne disease epidemiology.","authors":"Oliver Chinonso Mbaoma, Stephanie Margarete Thomas, Carl Beierkuhnlein","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06864-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06864-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"226"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12175438/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in Uruguay.","authors":"Rodrigo Alvez, María L Félix, Adriana Santodomingo, Pablo Parodi, Richard Thomas, Sebastián Muñoz-Leal, Luis Carvalho, José M Venzal","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06866-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06866-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ixodes fuscipes is a tick species found in the Southern Cone of America and the only member of the Ixodes ricinus complex present in Uruguay. Members of this complex are particularly recognized as vectors of diseases affecting human health, such as babesiosis, caused by parasites of the genus Babesia (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida). However, even though potential hosts of I. fuscipes in Uruguay (rodents, birds, and artiodactyls) are known carriers of Babesia species, the potential role of I. fuscipes as a vector of piroplasmids has not been studied.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, questing I. fuscipes ticks were collected from five locations in Uruguay, and the presence of piroplasmid DNA was assessed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify fragments of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) genes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 953 ticks (larvae, nymphs, and adults) were collected; 14 samples (two larval pools and 12 nymphs) tested positive. Genetic analyses using 18S rDNA and COI sequences revealed the presence of undescribed Babesia lineages, belonging to the Babesia odocoilei clade and others to the Babesia microti sensu stricto clade.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This work represents the first association of Babesia spp. with I. fuscipes and highlights the importance of this type of study to detect and mitigate the emergence of diseases associated with these arthropods.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"225"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12175381/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of forest structural complexity on small mammal body condition and its impact on tick burden and pathogen prevalence.","authors":"Tosca Vanroy, Lander Baeten, An Martel, Bram Catfolis, Manoj Fonville, Luc Lens, Frank Pasmans, Hein Sprong, Diederik Strubbe, Elin Verbrugghe, Kris Verheyen","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06874-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06874-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>More and more forest management focuses on increasing structural complexity to improve environmental conditions for biodiversity and forest functioning. However, it remains uncertain whether animal populations also benefit from increased forest structure. Small mammals are key reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, so understanding how forest structure changes their condition and how this, in turn, affects infection dynamics is critical for animal and human health.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study examined relationships between forest structural complexity, individual body condition (scaled mass index (SMI) and telomere length), pathogen prevalence, and tick load in bank voles and wood mice across 19 forest plots in northern Belgium, representing a gradient of structural complexity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed that higher forest complexity, especially with more dead wood and a well-developed herb layer, increased small mammal abundance. Density varied by tree species, with highest abundances in oak and lowest in poplar forests. In addition, body condition improved with structural complexity; SMI increased with woody layer complexity in wood mice and with dead wood availability in bank voles. No clear relationship between telomere length and forest complexity was observed. The relationship between body condition and pathogen prevalence was species- and pathogen-specific. Small mammals in better body condition were more likely to host Borrelia burgdorferi (causing Lyme disease), particularly in complex forests, indicating a higher infection risk with increasing structural complexity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Forest management practices that aim to enhance forest structure and biodiversity may thus inadvertently increase zoonotic disease risk and should take these findings in consideration to minimize the risk for human health.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"227"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12177995/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the effectiveness of Aquatain, Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, and Temephos on Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles stephensi larvae in the laboratory and field settings.","authors":"Sisay Dugassa, Tilahun Kebede, Bedri Abdulatif, Gudissa Assefa, Hiwot Solomon, Dejene Getachew, Kidane Lelisa, Araya Gebresilassie","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06765-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06765-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The main tools to control malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa are long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying. However, their sustainability is threatened by the emergence of insecticide resistances, behavioral avoidance and presence of outdoor biting mosquito populations. Thus, complementary interventions such as larval source management, which includes larviciding, are required to achieve better results in malaria vector control. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three larvicides (Aquatain AMF^®, Temephos and Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis) against larvae of Anopheles arabiensisi and Anopheles stephensi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The tests on insectary colony and field-collected immature stages of the mosquitoes were conducted in the laboratory. For this, the third and fourth larval instars of An. arabiensis and An. stephensi were placed in trays measuring 50 cm × 40 cm, and larvicides were applied to the treatments while the control trays were left untreated. In addition, the larvicides were applied to selected natural habitats, and their effects on the reduction of the immature stages' density were estimated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the laboratory, susceptible An. arabiensis showed mortality rates of 95% with Aquatain, 100% with Bti and 100% with Temephos, while An. stephensi showed 60% with Aquatain, 84% with Bti and 100% with Temephos. The percentage of larval mortalities among wild An. arabiensis collected from the field and exposed to Aquatain, Bti and Temephos were 97%, 100% and 100%, respectively, whereas those of An. stephensi were 74%, 99% and 100%, respectively. During the natural field study, the reductions in immature stages were as follows: 77%, 96% and 95% in Adama; 89%, 95% and 94% in Metahara; and 92%, 84% and 96% in Awash for Aquatain, Bti and Temephos, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The three larvicides, Aquatain, Temephos and Bti, provided high levels of larviciding efficacies in both laboratory and field evaluations. Despite its effectiveness, Temephos caused the water to turn whitish and emitted a strong odor that made the community wary regarding the treated habitats. Therefore, we recommend using Aquatain in mosquito control programs as a complementary malaria vector control tool.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"223"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12172309/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144317581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Should I dive or should I float? Behavioural plasticity of Aedes mariae pupae under predation threat.","authors":"Giulia Cordeschi, Valentina Mastrantonio, Roberta Bisconti, Nicole Giardiello, Daniele Canestrelli, Daniele Porretta","doi":"10.1186/s13071-025-06875-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13071-025-06875-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The pupal stage in holometabolous insects is a critical transition between larval and adult forms, during which feeding ceases and survival depends on stored energy reserves. Mosquito pupae exhibit active diving behaviour in response to threats, which is energetically costly due to their positive buoyancy. Whether pupae are able to adjust diving behaviour according to environmental conditions, balancing predator avoidance and energy expenditure, remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated how water salinity affects the diving behaviour of Aedes mariae pupae, a species inhabiting Mediterranean rock pools characterised by highly variable salinity conditions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Pupae were maintained and tested in two salinity conditions: low (50%) and high (150%). Diving behaviour was recorded following an automated mechanical stimulus, and we measured: (i) time spent underwater, (ii) pupal activity (i.e. the number of abdominal movements during the immersion and the ratio of movements to time spent underwater) and (iii) the proportion of time spent by a pupa at different depths along the height of the water column (space use).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that pupae in high-salinity conditions spent 20.6% less time underwater than those in low salinity. They also performed fewer abdominal movements during dives but showed no significant differences in movements per unit time. Analysis of space use showed that pupae in high salinity spent more time in the upper part of the water column and less time in the middle and lower parts.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Ae. mariae pupae modify their diving behaviour in response to different salinity conditions, adopting energy-efficient responses to external stimuli that promote survival in variable habitats. These findings highlight the importance of pupal behavioural flexibility for overall fitness and underscore the need to investigate pupal behavioural plasticity, which remains largely unexplored.</p>","PeriodicalId":19793,"journal":{"name":"Parasites & Vectors","volume":"18 1","pages":"224"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12175317/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144317582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}