Spatial and temporal distribution of Culicoides species in mainland Portugal (2005–2010). Results of the Portuguese entomological surveillance programme

Ribeiro, R. , Wilson, A.J., Nunes, T., Ramilo, D.W., Amador, R., Madeira, S., Baptista, F.M., Harrup, L.E., Lucientes, J. and Boinas, F. (2015) Spatial and temporal distribution of Culicoides species in mainland Portugal (2005–2010). Results of the Portuguese entomological surveillance programme. PLoS ONE, 10(4), e0124019. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124019) (PMID:25906151) (PMCID:PMC4407895)

Abstract

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is transmitted by Culicoides biting midges and causes an infectious, non-contagious disease of ruminants. It has been rapidly emerging in southern Europe since 1998. In mainland Portugal, strains of BTV belonging to three serotypes have been detected: BTV-10 (1956-1960), BTV-4 (2004-2006 and 2013) and BTV-1 (2007-2012). This paper describes the design, implementation and results of the Entomological Surveillance Programme covering mainland Portugal, between 2005 and 2010, including 5,650 caches. Culicoides imicola Kieffer was mostly found in central and southern regions of Portugal, although it was sporadically detected in northern latitudes. Its peak activity occurred in the autumn and it was active during the winter months in limited areas of the country. Obsoletus group was present at the highest densities in the north although they were found throughout the country in substantial numbers. Culicoides activity occurred all year round but peaked in the spring. A generalized linear mixed model was developed for the analysis of the environmental factors associated with activity of the species of Culicoides suspected vectors of BTV in the country. For C. imicola Kieffer, the most important variables were month, diurnal temperature range (DTR), the number of frost days (FRS) and median monthly temperature (TMP). For the Obsoletus group, the most important factors were month, diurnal temperature range (DTR), and linear and quadratic terms for median monthly temperature (TMP). The results reported can improve our understanding of climatic factors in Culicoides activity influencing their distribution and seasonal pattern.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by Project National entomological surveillance programme of Culicoides midges, vectors of Bluetongue virus, reference: NINGA 7185573 Funded by Direção Geral de Veterinária. Author who received the funding: FB (coordinator of the programme at CIISA-Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária). AJW and LH were funded by the BBSRC [BBS/E/I/00001409]. Funders at Direção Geral de Veterinária had a role in the data collection and study design, but had no role in the analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cardoso Ribeiro, Dr Rita Claudia
• Authors: Ribeiro, R., Wilson, A.J., Nunes, T., Ramilo, D.W., Amador, R., Madeira, S., Baptista, F.M., Harrup, L.E., Lucientes, J., and Boinas, F.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: PLoS ONE
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• ISSN (Online): 1932-6203
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Ribeiro et al.
• First Published: First published in PLoS ONE 10(4):e0124019
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

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