Referee report. For: Larval habitat diversity and mosquito species distribution along the coast of Kenya [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations] (original) (raw)

Management of arboviruses relies heavily on vector control. Background: Implementation and sustenance of effective control measures requires regular surveillance of mosquito occurrences, species abundance and distribution. The current study evaluated larval habitat diversity and productivity, mosquito species diversity and distribution in selected sites along the coast of Kenya. A cross-sectional survey of mosquito breeding habitats, species Methods: diversity and distribution was conducted in urban, peri-urban and forested ecological zones in Mombasa and Kilifi counties. A total of 13,009 immature mosquitoes were collected from 17 Results: diverse aquatic habitats along the coast of Kenya. Larval productivity differed significantly (F = 3.21, P < 0.0001) among the aquatic habitats, with tyre habitats recording the highest larval population. Culex (50.17%) and (38.73%) were the dominant mosquito pipiens Aedes aegypti species in urban areas, while (89%) was the dominant species Ae. vittatus in forested areas. In total, 4,735 adult mosquitoes belonging to 19 species were collected in Haller Park, Bamburi, Gede and Arabuko Sokoke forest. Urban areas supported higher densities of compared to Ae. aegypti peri-urban and forest areas, which, on the other hand, supported greater mosquito species diversity. High production in urban and peri-urban areas Conclusions: Ae. aegypti present a greater risk of arbovirus outbreaks. Targeting productive habitats of , such as discarded tyres, containers and poorly Aedes aegypti maintained drainage systems in urban areas and preventing human-vector contact in peri-urban and forested areas could have a significant impact on 1,2 2,3 4 5