Integrating Ecological Surveillance and Habitat Analysis for Vector Control: : A Case Study of Mosquito Populations in Post-Disaster Baluchistan

Shay Chirag; Parvez Jan; Muhammad Askani; Alishba Zahid; Farid Asif Shaheen

Integrating Ecological Surveillance and Habitat Analysis for Vector Control:

A Case Study of Mosquito Populations in Post-Disaster Baluchistan

Authors

Shay Chirag MSc Hons student, Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan,
Parvez Jan MSc Hons student, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan,
Muhammad Askani MSc Hons student, Department of Horticulture, Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, Pakistan
Alishba Zahid MSc Hons student, Department of Entomology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Farid Asif Shaheen Associate professor, Department of Entomology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Keywords:

QTL, , marker-assisted selection, , CRISPR/Cas9, , genomic breeding, , stress resistance, , fibre quality.

Abstract

Mosquitoes (Culicidae: Diptera) are major vectors causing diseases in humans and animals. This paper evaluated the mosquito diversity, breeding habitat and environmental drivers of five flood-prone districts in Balochistan, which include Quetta, Kech, Panjgur, Gwadar and Lasbella. Sampling was carried out in diverse habitats such as stagnant water, open drains, construction pits, vegetation, junkyards and residential places. The larvae and adults have been preserved in ethanol and distinguished with the help of morphological keys. The water quality parameters, such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and dissolved oxygen (DO) measured along with the temperature of each site. A total of 15,349 specimens representing four genera (Culex, Aedes, Anopheles and Armigeres) of mosquitoes were isolated. The indices of diversity showed moderate variation at the genus level with maximum values of Shannon-Wiener in Gwadar City, Paroom and Killi Ismail. Culex prevailed in most of the habitats, and Aedes had a close relation with urban ports full of containers. Significant differences were found among the Aedes and total mosquito populations in the various districts. The correlation analysis showed that EC and mosquito abundance had strong positive correlations, but the temperature had weak negative correlations. The findings show how the water chemistry and urbanization influence the mosquito populations after a flood. Integrated vector management (IVM) must include EC-informed larval control, reduction of containers in urban areas and the use of GIS-based hotspots mapping. The study offers an ecological base of specific interventions and disease prevention that is climate-resilient in Baluchistan.

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Integrating Ecological Surveillance and Habitat Analysis for Vector Control: