Species diversity and distribution of mosquito vectors in coastal habitats of Samut Songkhram province, Thailand.

This study assessed species diversity and distribution of mosquito vectors in coastal habitats dividing it to three areas according to the distance from the sea. We also described a comprehensive analysis on factors associated with natural habitat preference of mosquito larvae in the Samut Songkhram province, Thailand. Adult and larval mosquito survey was conducted using black light traps and standard mosquito dipper during rainy season between October to November 2015. A total of 1,764 mosquitoes belonging to 3 genera with 5 species were captured. The most abundant species was Anopheles epiroticus accounting for 37.13% followed by Culex sitiens (34.92%), Cx. quinquefasciatus (27.66%), Aedes aegypti (0.23%) and Cx. gelidus (0.06%) respectively. Cx. sitiens and An. epiroticus larvae were collected from available breeding habitats. Highest density of mosquito larvae (603 larvae) was found at 2 kilometers distance from the sea whereas at 4 kilometers distance from the sea found the least of larvae numbers ( 331)s. Pearson correlation showed association the factors associated with breeding habitat preference of mosquito larvae. Cx. sitiens larvae were significantly higher in permanent, temporary water resources (p<0.01) and mangrove trees (p<0.05) than those of An. epiroticus. An. epiroticus larvae that significantly prefer water with green algae (p<0.05). These results provided important information with regards to mosquito vectors in coastal habitats of Samut Songkhram province, Thailand. It also provided information on species diversity, distribution and factors associated with breeding habitat, preference for surveillance and control to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases to the population of the coastal communities. These findings fulfil knowledge of mosquito ecology and support mosquito control strategies that can be applied in coastal areas of Thailand in the future.